I like most of Backman's books but I'm not sure that this continuation of this story was really necessary. I guess it was good to see how the characters had moved on with their lives and how the trauma still impacted them but I'm not sure we needed the follow up.

Yea... this destroyed me!!

I put off reading this for WAY too long because I wanted to make sure I reread Beartown and Us Against You first (and I was not emotionally prepared to finish this series) but I finally finished my re-reads and then completed The Winners within 24 hours.

My heart was broken into a million pieces so slowly and then all at once at the end. This was such a satisfying and full end to one of my favorite series of all time.

One of my only complaints is that it is a little repetitive at times. There are some paragraphs that are line-for-line the same from portions of Us Against You, or even some that are repeated twice in The Winners. If I hadn't reread Us Against You right before diving into this one I'm sure I would've appreciated those repetitions because they're kind of a bridge/reminder of what happened previously, but reading them so close together I noticed more than I would've liked.

*Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Haven’t a had a chance to finish this and write a thorough review but I will come back to update it when I’ve finished. So far a solid 3 star rating and will make sure to come back to add more details

This story is amazing! His characters are woven so intricately I feel like I actually know them all. I feel like I also have lived in Beartown and know exactly what they’re all going through. I cheered, laughed and held my breath through different parts of the story and sobbed uncontrollably through others, these characters will forever live in my heart!

✨💔 The Winners is everything I hoped it would be — stunning, heart-wrenching, and filled with all the raw emotion and love that makes Backman’s books so unforgettable.

Returning to Beartown feels like coming home and getting your heart broken all over again. The way he writes about community, grief, loyalty, and forgiveness is so real it hurts — but in that beautiful way that makes you hold on to every word.

If you’ve loved Beartown and Us Against You, this final chapter will stay with you long after the last page. Seriously, Backman never misses. 💙🏒

The perfect ending to this phenomenonal series. I'm not sure there will ever be anything else like it! It envoked feelings of heartbreak and happiness. A classic forever!

Winners" by Fredrik Backman is a heartfelt continuation of Us Against You. I appreciated how the story revisited familiar characters like Maya, Benji, and Peter while introducing new ones, all deeply connected to the town’s hockey culture. The book beautifully explores themes of loyalty, grief, forgiveness, and the sacrifices people make for their communities, all set against the backdrop of the ongoing rivalry between Beartown and Hed. While the pacing was a bit slow due to the detailed backstories, the emotional depth and authenticity made it an unforgettable read. A fitting end to an amazing series. Highly recommended!

Fredrik Backman will always be a winner for me! I loved this novel, start to finish, and am only sad that this is the end of the Beartown stories! What an outstanding novel with characters who both delight and break my heart!

Frederick Backman is truly a genius. I loved Beartown, and found this one a worthy wrap-up to an excellent story.

I cannot put into words just how incredible Fredrik Backman's writing is. He can weave a compelling, beautiful, powerful, heartbreaking, and heartfelt story quite like none other. There is always such a richness and unforgettable element to his books that stick with you for a long to come, and The Winners was no exception. I absolutely LOVED this return to the community of Beartown and the remarkable story of love, goodness, and second chances that was told in its pages. These characters and this community have come to feel like friends and I was just so invested and thrilled to be back with them. It was like returning home. The book was long, but I honestly found it could have longer because I couldn't put it down and never wanted it to end. I will not speak to the plot so as not to ruin anything from the beginning of the series, so I'll just leave you with what I've said above. Be prepared that you'll need a box of tissues nearby as you feel all the emotions and are immersed in this wonderfully atmospheric read. I was left so touched by the end!

Many thanks to Atria and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

I was beyond excited when I saw there would be a third book in the Beartown series, having absolutely loved the previous two books as well as other books Fredrik Backman has written. I loved revisiting this small town and its eclectic cast of characters, but unfortunately this one fell a bit short for me. It’s very long, and seemed almost repetitive of some of the same things from the previous two books, so it felt a bit slow and I struggled to get through it. However, as always, the writing is absolutely beautiful and the setting so atmospheric you truly feel transported to Beartown. I’m definitely the outlier on this one, so I’d recommend giving it a read for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my gifted copy!

The Winners by Fredrik Backman continues the story of Beartown and the heartbreaking experiences of teens in two competing hockey towns. While this one isn't my favorite of the series, it was still incredibly touching, especially the storyline following Benji. Backman's character writing is by far the best today and continues to draw you in and make you feel a level of connection that I don't think any other writer could. This book left me absolutely sobbing, but in a good way. I loved it.

In the final book in the Beartown trilogy, heartbreak and healing is once again imposed upon the members of both communities: Beartown and Hed. This time, though, it is not so easy as lives are forever altered again — I am not sure I will ever be able to put back the fractured pieces of my heart.

Wonderful character development. This is the last of a series, which really should be read in order. I hadn’t read the previous two books so it took me awhile to catch the story and character connections. (I have gone back to read the other two for context and then re-read this which really makes it a much better book). The plot in this book is not as strong and sometimes seems a little drawn out. However the book is rich with emotion and caring about the well developed characters.

I want to thank NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

I am a long time fan of anything Fredrik Backman. That said, I didn't love the first book, Bear Town, in this series because when I read it that book was a standalone that left me feeling jaded and disappointed. Had I known the book was going to be part of a series, I may not have been so upset. I felt like I need to read all the books in the series in order to fully evaluate and I am so grateful that I did. This final book gave me to closure that was missing from the original and left me feeling far more hopeful. Backman continues to be a master as capturing the harsh realities of the world yet also giving us glimpses of the beauty and joy in the midst.

What a wonderful conclusion to the Beartown Series. This town has lived rent free in my mind since I opened book 1 for the first time. If you are looking for a book about friendship, community, a sense of belonging and sacrifice to fight for what is important, you have found it!

The Winners was an incredible last book, and wrapped up Beartown's story perfectly. The characters are so lovable and real, and reading the story felt like I was right there with them. It was funny, hopeful, and heartbreaking, and I wish there was another book because I'm not ready to be done with the story. Backman's writing is refreshingly honest, and the story and the people really come alive. Five stars for the perfect ending in this beautiful series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy.
Fredrik Backman never disappoints me. Such a moving and emotional series.
This took me awhile to read at 600 pages.

Fredrik Backman's "Beartown" is one of my favorite novels of all time, and the finale in the series was a bittersweet read. As always, Backman's prose and attention to character are top-notch. He does an outstanding job weaving together a community that we care about and have a difficult time saying goodbye to. Another emotional read.

Fredrik Bachman is truly one of the best writers, internationally, of our generation. Sometimes he writes about quirky, warm relationships. Sometimes about hard topics, as with this novel. I would recommend anything that he writes