22. Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston (WF/PNR) Max falls for a Cat who doesn’t know he is one.   (CWs: violence, abduction, ptsd, abandonment, guns).

Badger to the Bone (Honey Badger Chronicles #3). By Shelly Laurenston. 2020. Kesington (ARC eBook).

Ze Vargas has seen a lot of things working undercover for the government, but the kidnapped woman sitting in front of him takes the cake. As Max MacKilligan blows his cover, calls him a kitty cat and proceeds to turn into a large rat with scary claws, turning the thugs surrounding them into mincemeat, unconsciousness can’t come soon enough. But when Ze wakes, it’s to the world of shapeshifters, of which he learns he is of the jaguar variety. A lot of things about his life start making sense to him. But who can make sense of the deadly shenanigans the MacKilligan clan continually engross themselves in?

I wanted this book to capture my attention. I really did. While Badger to the Bone will fit the bill for paranormal fans that want over-the-top craziness and action, those that like those elements balanced with...well, pretty much anything else, probably won’t find it to their satisfaction. While I love strong and sassy heroines, I like them best when one, they aren’t complete psychopaths and two, when there is a partnership between them and hot alpha males to a degree that is actually measurable. And, unique to Laurenston’s worldbuilding, I prefer stories without Blaine, Livy or any of the Jackal prodigies shoehorned in. And yes, I apparently also prefer them without the all-mighty honey badger.

Why do I keep dipping my toes back in? Because I absolutely LOVED the first half of Laurenston’s Pride series. To be clear, Laurenston is a talented writer, but the Pride series started off with “bad ass” and “quirky” masterfully woven together. Not too mention riddled with hot chemistry. But as she grew that series out and into this spinoff, too many characters begged for attention and development went disproportionately off the rails into head scratching territory. I’ll gladly go back and fall in love with the Llewellyn, Shaw and Smith packs again.

This book was good—I don’t think Shelly Laurenston could write anything bad— but it wasn’t great.   I’ve been really excited to read Max’s story ever since she first came on the scene, but this just kind of fell a little flat.  It was still good and very entertaining, and I would recommend it, but it probably won’t be one that I read over and over.

She’s the woman he’s been hired to kidnap. But ZeZé Vargas has other ideas . . . like getting them both out of this nightmare alive. Just one problem. She’s crazy. Certifiably. Because while he’s plotting their escape, the petite Asian beauty is plotting something much more deadly . . .
Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan has no idea what one of her own is doing with all these criminal humans until she realizes that Zé has no idea who or what he is. Or exactly how much power he truly has. But Max is more than happy to bring this handsome jaguar shifter into her world and show him everything he’s been missing out on. A move that might be the dumbest thing she’s ever done once she realizes how far her enemies will go to wipe her out. Too bad for them Zé is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her alive . . . and honey badgers are just so damn hard to kill!
I have read many of this author’s books and I love them all. The author has a way of writing some crazy, kooky characters and it just works for me! I loved both Max and Ze and all of the trouble they find themselves in. My only issue with this one, and I’m not sure why, was how many times a chapter here and there would be totally different characters. For some reason, I had problems keeping some of them straight this time. I can’t wait until the next book! I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

One of the greatest writers Shelly Laurenston, she has done it again with the third book in the series. It's funny with a great pace she just keeps adding more and more to this series to keep on your toes.

Absolutely LOVED this book! This series about these unique honey badger sisters has been so enjoyable to read and I highly recommend it!

I love the MacKilligan girls and their friends.  This addition to the series is no exception.  Lots of laughter but action and suspense as well.  And don't forget the family drama.  I highly recommend this and all the books in the series.

I enjoyed Max as a side character in the previous books but I wasn't sure how I would like her as the main character.

Honestly i loved her. Her brand of crazy is so fun to see but also makes sense at times. Ze was also a very interesting character and I really liked his background and how its adding to this world of Shifters. Laurenston writes the animal quirks in human form so well and really brings it all together. I'm looking forward to more from this series!

So much fun.  This is a continuation of the series but is still accessible for new readers. But honestly there is s much pay off for long time readers. Laurenston is a master at action packed fun and sexy stories.

I've loved the Honey Badger Chronicles and looked forward to reading Badger to the Bone. And there was a lot to like about it. It had the side splitting humor I've grown to love, a fair amount of action, and lots of cameos of some of my favorite characters from other books. 

But I didn't love it. Mainly because of the romance. It felt like for Max, Zé could have been interchangable with any guy. It didn't feel like a love match at all, more like Max found someone that would do. As much as I loved the rest of the book, this bugged me. My other issue was the fact the the book ended abruptly. To the point I had to double check to make sure I didn't miss something. 

Because of this, parts of Badger to the Bone were enjoyable, but my frustration with Max and Ze overshadowed that.

I enjoyed this book immensely.  When it comes to reading one of Shelly Laurenston books, you know, you're going to be highly entertained. With a  Fast-paced storyline, exceptional plot, and charming characters. I most certainly recommend you pick up a copy.

I loved this book, it was so funny!! I love Ze and Max’s teammates! I think Ze & Max were a good match! There was certainly a surprise at the end though so hopefully another honey badger shifter book coming!!

Oh my gosh! I can't even! I adored Ze! And Max is just is great! This is another hilarious story in a line of them I just can't get enough of! Makes me want to go back and read them all again!

In general, I love Shelly Laurenston. In specific, I love this series. However, there was so much happening in this book! I got whiplash hopping from storyline to storyline. I’d read a few pages focused on one character and suddenly we’d hop to another character - seemingly unrelated. We’d learn who they were and their role in the story only to hop away to something else. Then we’d intermittently visit these other characters to see how they worked into the plot line. 

This method of storytelling has worked through these books but it felt far too big and convoluted here. We were trying to tie up half a dozen loose ends, and it was exhausting. I do think it improved after 60%, but, holy smokes, it was exhausting. 

Laurenston is a wonderful escape author. Generally she’s guaranteed to be a good time. I’m disappointed this one was more work than fun. 

***Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to offer my review.***


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What is not to love about badass honey badgers? I mean seriously, they are all about some girl power handling their own business. I enjoyed this story (and the series) very much. The writing is paced nicely with suspense, and humor - two things I adore. The characters are likable even though they don't want to be...also something I love.

I covered this book on Frolic.

Shelly Laurenston is great and I LOVE this series. She writes great storylines that are funny, sexy and full of strong women! I am so excited to have more badger stories too!

LOVED THIS BOOK! I was absolutely dying for max to get a book and it did not disappoint!! 
Hilarious, sexy and just plain fun to read!!

This is another amazing book by Shelly Laurenston.  I am really enjoyed all three sisters books, but this one was my favorite. I love getting to see old favorites from the Pride series and I can wait to see what’s next. This can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the other two books in the trilogy first.

Conclusion of the Honey Badger Chronicles??? I don't know but I hope a certain family of brothers get their own series. I loved the series absolutely hysterical at every turn. I read a comedic shifter book and I just assume it's going to be like Shelley's books (un)fortunately no one writes like her, which leads to some disappointing reads.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I knew Max would be worth the wait and Ze is so chill compared to her it's a nice balance

I now love Honeybadgers.  This story is about Max and Charles.  Charles is a shifter that does not know anything about shifters much less that he is one.  Max discovers Charles and decides to help h. Charles understand that Max is in danger and decides to help her. This is the third installment in the Honey Badger series. Shelly Laurenston is a great writer and each book makes you laugh out loud. I was unable to out the book down and hated for it to end