Tag Archives: Shelly Laurenston

Hot and Badgered ReRead by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hot and Badgered ReRead
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Even though this is my second read through, Hot and Badgered is just as brilliant, fun, hilarious and impossible to put down as the first time. There’s a reason why Hot and Badgered got my completely hooked on Laurenston and her brilliant approach to paranormal romances. I may have enjoyed this ridiculously on my first read, but now that I’ve also read the Pride series, I have so much more appreciation for the different cameos throughout and how Laurenston has been able to build such a fun and engaging world to dive into. It was fun before, but now it is even better!!!

The MacKilligan sister might all be certifiably insane, but I love the love and care that Charlie shows her somewhat out of control siblings. Charlie might be the matriarch of their little band, but she’s also longing for love and a place to call home. I love that she’s learnt a thousand ways to protect her siblings, and yet, at the core of her behaviours, it’s all about creating home, family and a safe space. The constant stress baking, the dogs and the willingness to set down roots with someone she truly cares about are all drives that I recognise. It’s always enjoyable to connect to a character in the most random of ways – and Charlie’s willingness to put her family first whilst stress baking is ridiculously recognisable.

On rereading this and remembering how much I love this story, there is something that I’m somewhat concerned about – the series and books that I’m obsessing over at the moment tend to be romances. With a whole lot of violence. And killing. And blood. I’m not sure how concerned I should be about this latest obsession. Some of the murder and violence is caused by Charlie, but, enjoyably, she mostly spends this story finishing the violence. The fact that it’s done in a really matter of fact, no dramas fashion just added to my enjoyment and entertainment. But seriously, so much violence.

There are some series that you just reread almost yearly… they are a pleasant diversion from real life and layered enough that you find something new with each read through. There’s a reason that Hot and Badgered is quickly making it onto that list… it is fun and light in some ways. But there is enough drama and angst that I just didn’t want to put it down. Plus, then there’s the many different threads throughout which link to other stories in the Laurenston universe. Now I can’t wait to dive into Max’s story again in In a Badger Way.

<- Bite Me ReReadIn a Badger Way ReRead ->

Image source: Fresh Fiction

Here Kitty, Kitty! by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Here Kitty Kitty
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

I knew that Nik was going to be Angelica’s love interest from their little Meet Cute in Go Fetch!, I did not expect how good their romance was going to be. I thought that I enjoyed reading about Miki falling and dealing with all of her issues. That had nothing on Angie’s drama. Not only did I seriously love this story, but I also found Angie’s tendency towards violence for the sake of violence so much more entertaining and humorous. It concerns me how much I loved Angie’s tendency to just beat the crap out of others, but also, so very enjoyable.

Angie’s rage issues are a well-known fact from the beginning of the Magnus Pack series. What is not so obvious is the reasons behind her rage. I absolutely adored the reasons why she feels such rage (even if it is a little bit heartbreaking). Yet, even though she is actively working on not being completely unhinged in her rage… she still manages to absolutely kick butt whenever she needs to. I love that she’s the one who helps to ultimately control the hyenas and their evil ways… not just through her own violent tendencies, but also her willingness to create a previously unprecedented truce.

Having read enough of the shapeshifter world which Laurenston has beautifully constructed, I really admire how she differentiates between the different breeds / species of shapeshifter. In the case of tigers, the majority of them are still the type to eschew monogamy. However, I love Nik’s journey to coming to terms with his monogamous ways. And the fact that he takes after his father – who has harassed, tortured and loved the same woman his entire life. Whilst there is a bit of a battle at the beginning, he ultimately embraces this new sense of reality and just, doubles down on his commitment. The whole internal journey that Nik is forced to face was something that left me giggling and smiling throughout.

Here Kitty Kitty was filled with so much yummy, yummy adult scenes. Alongside all of the violence and banter. I absolutely adored this. Plus, I love how it rounds out the Magnus Pack trilogy in a way that felt like the end of one story, but the beginning of another. In this case, Sara’s rise to power is complete, the truce that they manage to have the cats, wolves and so many others push upon the hyenas is also completed. But the start of the next war is just on the horizon. Which is why it’s worth jumping into the Pride series next.

<- Go Fetch!Miss Congeniality ReRead ->

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Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Go Fetch!
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

Thoughts

I’ve been wanting to read Miki’s story since her cameo in Like a Wolf with a Bone. She’s very obviously a handful and kind of unhinged. And that’s why I read Laurenston’s books – they feature women who are intense, unhinged and absolutely hilarious. Plus, as you read Go Fetch! you realise that Miki is absolutely chaos personified. Not only with constantly running her mouth, but her willingness to commit violence and set others on fire. And then, I love that Conall is just happy to calmly follow her around without judgement or insanity. He just… deals with all of it with a great big smile on his face.

As someone who can’t switch off their own brain, I really loved reading about a character who is also unable to do so. Miki never lets her plotting, scheming thoughts pause, and I relate to this 100%. However, Miki’s determination of what and who will make her happy is a bit difficult at times. She might be wrong, but I also love that she does eventually realise this and just go with the flow. Plus, even amongst all of her misinformed romantic ideals, she is completely able to handle herself in every other way – often in a completely hilarious fashion. One that involves a whole lot of mayhem.

As a contrast to Miki, Conall is incredibly quiet and incredibly calm. There are one or two moments when he does react, and the rareness of these and the overwhelmingly ridiculous circumstances in which he finds himself frustrated are absolutely hilarious. In particular, I couldn’t stop laughing when Miki tries to test him the first time, with drugs. And then finds out that maybe she’s finally bitten off more than she can chew. Plus, it gives them a great turning point in their relationship. Conall might finally realise what he’s up against, but then, so does Miki.

Reading this after I’ve read all of the published Pride and Honey Badger Chronicles books, helped me to see all of the ridiculous connections that take place throughout this world. I loved going back to the beginning to see just how much this world has expanded and grown. Plus, it just makes me laugh throughout the entire read through. Miki and Angelina may be placed in danger because of Sara ascension to Alpha. But it also opens up the world to them. I can’t wait to continue rereading and reading this series for the first time. The insanity is brilliant, and I get to spend the whole violence-riddled story smiling and laughing.

<- Pack ChallengeHere Kitty Kitty ->

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Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Pack Challenge
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2006

Thoughts

Ever since I picked up Hot and Badgered, I’ve wanted to go back to where it all started. But, sadly for me, some of these first stories aren’t actually on Kobo (because Kindle Unlimited and such nonsense). I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading this. It wasn’t quite the story I was expecting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I love being surprised, and the way that Sara’s story unfolded, and introduced her little trio was fantastic. Now I can’t wait for Miki and Angela’s stories to grace my brain waves.

I kind of found Sara’s plight with her aggressiveness to be kind of hilarious. I’m not sure what it was, but the fact that she didn’t turn as a child leading to being an aggressive angry bitch sat really well with me. And the nonsense that she ends up formulating / the way she decides to take her new aggressive tendency by the horns… it just worked really well for me. Plus, I love how she uses this aggression to control her friends when they continuously try and get them all in trouble. Not to mention the sexual aggression and frustration which just jumps off the page as you watch her relationship with Zach unfold.

Although Sara and her two girlfriends aren’t quite as aggressively psychotic as Laurenston’s later characters, I still absolutely loved them. I mean, one of the reasons I absolutely demolish Laurenston books is that they are filled with aggressive, mouthy, take-no-prisoners types of women. Those who know what they want and who they are, and don’t necessarily apologise for it. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments of emotional scarring that they have to get past, but every single woman in these universe is strong willed and independent. Sara is a fantastic way to start off this world and show you what Laurenston’s women are made of.

I read Pack Challenge right after my Hot and Badgered ReRead, and I loved how you could tell how much Laurenston has grown over the years. Whilst I loved both of the stories, it was fun to see the sophistication and creativity that she is able to bring to her later works. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed Pack Challenge, I definitely appreciated the growth that has gone into this world throughout the past few decades. Now onto the next phenomenal story created from this unique and fun mind.

<- More Shelly LaurenstonGo Fetch! ->

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The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Unleashing
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Call of Crows #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Norse mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

As of late, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying anything by Shelly Laurenston. When I realised that she had a series that is based on Norse mythology, I may have squealed a little. Alright, a lot, on the inside. Because squealing in public earns you weird looks…

As a woman, I love that the crows are driven by their rage. I mean, I get it. Sometimes I’m fairly certain that to be a woman is to be filled with rage some days. And the idea that they are all women who have been killed, given a second life and assigned the task of vengeance? Way too damn good.

If I look at my reading habits lately, I MAY be enjoying romance stories with murder and mayhem a little bit too much lately. But you know, Laurenston fits into the perfectly, and it makes me happy, o we won’t think too closely on that. I love that Laurenston’s women are typically the leaders of this murder and Mayhem, and their poor men just kind of follow along half the time.

The hints to Jace’s story are intriguing, and, having read the next blurb, I love that I get her tale next! I mean, she seems a little unknowable, and just… intriguing. And her love interest (or the one I’ve guessed to be her love interest)? That seems like a total opposites attract. Plus, the hints at other romances throughout The Unleashing just make me deliriously excited for what is going to happen next.

Aside from future mayhem and romance, I can’t wait to find out more about the epic battles that have begun in this novel. I’m do very excited to continue with yet another Laurenston series. One that I’m sure will leave me smiling and giggling throughout.

<- More Shelly LaurenstonThe Undoing ->

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Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Born to Be Badger
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Max and her team of insane honey badgers are absolutely, totally and utterly freaking fantastic. I mean, they are completely ridiculous and insanely violent, which I love. And then the whole finding their forever partners who want to put up with the ridiculousness and go along for the ride… priceless. Plus, aggressive mayhem and honey badgers – I’m never not going to love that combination.

Tock and her inability to even quite fit in with the rest of the honey badgers is brilliant. I love that she literally makes her own app to keep track of time and her scheduling. I mean, I feel how frustrating this is, and wish that I had her app. And ability to actually keep to whatever schedule I plan. Plus, she just embraces the fact that she’s a little abnormal, and uses it to freak people out and make her escapes… something that I honestly do myself. Frequently.

Shay is so completely calm and sane, which I feel like is necessary for someone who loves an insane honey badger. I love that Tock manages to also fall for one of the few men who is unable to keep any concept of time. She is so regimented, and he doesn’t really care where he is or when. They are completely enjoyable and fun opposites attract. Plus, it’s just fun to have Tock getting so completely out of control and frustrated every time Shay decides to just meander along.

Shay’s daughter, Dani, is completely adorable and I love that she is happily able to bond with Tock over STEM. That, and they agree that Stevie just shouldn’t be involved in the tutoring. Because Stevie is nuts and still completely capable of taking over the world… plus, there’s the fact that Tock is able to help Dani reinforce when she says the word “no”. I love how the girls in Shay’s life bond over STEM and telling a boy no… consent and STEM. Two incredibly important things for young women to learn.

Now that I’ve read Born to Be Badger, I’ve decided that I’ll probably need to reread the Honey Badger Chronicles and Pride series. Just because they’re hilarious, and I love doing rereads amongst all of my reading – revisiting beloved worlds is relaxing and enjoyable in a whole other way.

<- Breaking BadgerTo Kill a Badger ->

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Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bite Me
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

Bite Me is a fantastic ending to an absolutely wonderful series. I love that it let’s you know battles will continue to be fought, but that the Big Bad was finally caught. At least for this arc that Laurenston has painstakingly crafted. It didn’t quite focus in the main couple as much as some of the other books in this series, rather it touched on most of the other couples as well. Which. I kind of liked. It gave a little bit of extra closure to the whole series.

The fact that Bite Me jumps around a little and touches upon the other couples works well. But it also meant that it took me a little while to truly invest in the stories. Plus, I kept waiting for Max (Livvy’s cousin) to show up, which she didn’t. And I was kind of disappointed about that. However, once I finally got into it, I couldn’t put it down! Maybe I’d just burnt myself out on reading Pride books back to back…

Livvy is a great departure from the rest of her family. I love that they’re consistently stealing things, fighting, breaking the law…and Livvy is just doing her own thing and living her life. Yet, when push comestibles shove not only is she able to call on her completely insane family, she is also able to wrangle them. I fact, she kind of acts like an alpha to the rest of her insane clan.

As a great counterpoint to Livvy’s volatile nature, I love that Vic is a kind of socially awkward, chilled counterpoint to this. He seems to spend most of the time, just pottering along and enjoying life. I mean, you’d probably need that kind of level of chill to handle the insanity of not just Livvy’s family, but also the Jean-Parker Louis clan. Particularly well loved (in my head) characters like Kyle.

This was a great read, and I’ll definitely enjoy diving into it again. Because honey badgers.

<- Wolf with BenefitsMore Shelly Laurenston ->

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Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wolf with Benefits
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I love that this Pride novel features the head of the Jean-Louis Parker siblings. I mean, I’ve read about them through many of the Honey Badger Chronicles books, and they all seem certifiable. And entertaining. Which means that I loved reading about Toni. Not only because she was completely amazing in and of herself. But she also spends the entirety of this story managing her insane family. Which leads to a whole lot more humour and shenanigans.

Ricky Lee is a great counterpoint to the pure insanity that is thrown at Toni every day. Of the three Reed boys, I’m glad that this story featured him. He’s happily entertained by whatever goes on around him. Incredibly calm and chilled. And just… goes with the flow. Plus, once he’s decided on Toni, he just… waits and enjoys her company.

I can’t imagine having just one prodigy in my family – but having the whole family be such a high-needs individual? It is unfathomable. At least, to my brain. Yet, Toni is able to handle multiple highly problematic personalities. And in a way that leaves everyone, if not happy, content. I’m good at managing chaos, but Toni takes it to a whole other level. And I love that when she finally decides to step into her own life, all of these skills are completely transferable. Plus, there’s the whole side story of the incredibly evil sister, and how Toni is able to handle her psychopathological behaviours. Again, absolutely priceless.

Not only are Toni and Ricky Lee great, as is the rest of the Jean-Parker Louis clan. But this book also introduces the first honey badger shifter! If you didn’t read the series out of order like I did. I love how Livvy is introduced into this world. And the reluctance to be involved and none to these shifters is further explained. Livvy is an absolute firecracker of a best friend. And I can’t wait to read her romance. After all, she might be a honey badger, but she still seems way more sane than the MacKilligan sisters…

There are so many great characters who make cameos throughout this book. Both from earlier in the Pride series and from the Honey Badger Chronicles. A brilliant story, and yet another that I look forward to rereading in the future!

<- Bear Meets GirlBite Me ->

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Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bear Meets Girl
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

From the moment you meet Cella in the series, you can kind of tell that she’s certifiably insane. But, reading her story and getting to know her better? You realise that she is quite possibly even more nutty than you realised. Or at least that’s what I found. Of course I found that her total insanity and disregard for convention made me love her all that much more. And, getting to know more of the Malones… I also want to read more about this less than legal family.

I love that Cella is a single mum. Alright, when she starts talking to Lou, she makes it sound like her kid is much younger. And she definitely isn’t what you’d consider a conventional mother. But it was nice that she is still a loving one. And that her bond with her daughter is able to stand up to some incredibly irritating family dynamics. That Lou is so willingly welcomed by her daughter just worked all that much better.

Lou works as a fantastic contrast to Cella. He is calm and fairly chilled. Although a little judgemental. Mostly I just love how he spends the majority of his time just trying to figure out what the hell is going on with the insanity that surrounds Cella. Which, admittedly would be a very difficult thing to do. Then there’s the fact that he is partner to Dez who is her own special brand of crazy…

I love that, aside from the family drama, this is a story about a cop and an assassin who work together to find the Big Bad Man. They both have some drastically different approaches to it, but they work well together. And, even if the guy who is actually driving a lot of this isn’t caught, at least another cog in the machine is. And now onto the next battle…

<- Big Bad BeastWolf with Benefits ->

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Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Big Bad Beast
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve been waiting to read more of Dee Ann’s story since I met her in my very first Shelly Laurenston book. I mean, she’s obviously insanely badass. And I wondered how she ended up with a wonderfully sophisticated man. I love the whole opposites attract vibe that they both have. And now that I’ve finally read their romance – I was NOT disappointed. It was everything that I wanted and more. The perfect, fun opposites attract romance. One with plenty of violence and mayhem (just how I like them).

Although this was a great opposites attract story, it was also one about love at first sight… to a degree. I love how Ric decides when he is not even a teenager that he’s going to marry Dee Ann. And it kind of seems that once his mind is made up, nothing is going to shift him. A trait that is very good with a woman who is just as stubborn and independently minded. The fact that he’s subtle about it and just slowly works on Dee Ann just made it all that much better. Plus, Ric’s love language is food! I love when there’s a couple in which one is just determined to feed up the other. It definitely made me slightly hungry while reading this.

I love that this story also expands on the whole hybrid fighting rings story line. At least one of the key characters in driving this fighting ring is revealed (and receives their comeuppance, as they should). But I get the feeling that there are going to be a whole lot more evil things going on in the background. It was great that this was the more high octane aspect of the plot line. Ric and Dee Ann’s romance actually doesn’t have all too many boundaries, I mean there’s a little bit about the fact that they come from two warring packs, but it’s not too bad. All of this just means that there is a wonderfully violent battle at the end.

There are two major wolf dynasties throughout this series. You get to know about both of them a little throughout the first few books in the Pride series. But it was nice to have them take centre stage and be contrasted in Big Bad Beast. It’s very enjoyable how Laurenston is able to take the idea of different species of shifters, and then different aspects of those species and create such strong, distinct groups. I’m not sure which Pack I want more of now – the Smiths or the Van Holtzes…

<- Beast Behaving BadlyBear Meets Girl ->

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