In a world where you can be anything, be a bear.Year of the Bear's short stories weave together social commentary with folklore, fairy tale, fantasy, and science fiction to entertain, challenge, and sometimes frighten readers. A lawyer navigates a most unusual Tinder date; a gangster flees a deal gone bad; a young child is gifted with a magical hat; a group of campers meet a secretive stranger; a hitchhiker accepts a lift from a man and his ursine passenger. Year of the Bear is both engrossing and engaging, with the collection's contemporary characters plunging readers into vivid atmospheric situations.Narratives of acceptance, diversity, and inclusion underscore the Year of the Bear's unusual and inventive short stories, establishing Jay Chesters as one of Australia's most fascinating emerging authors."[Year of the Bear] makes our hearts warm in a cold time."S. E. Harsha