A really good shifter romance by Ms. Laurenston. Well-written and great characters. I really enjoyed the book.

Badger to the Bone is the third book in the Honey Badger Chronicles and follows the middle MacKilligan sister, Max Yang, who is a full honey badger shifter (unlike her sisters, who are both hybrids). When one of her MacKilligan cousins tries (again) to kill her and she sees a van that’s been following her, she decides she’d rather see if she can find Devon, the man her mom double crossed, than deal with her family. When she’s kidnapped she meets Zezé Vargas and with great relish informs him that he is a jaguar shifter.

There’s many threads of plot occurring throughout this book because it’s continuing from Charlie and Stevie’s stories, but also dealing with Zé realizing and accepting his shifter nature. The Scottish MacKilligan clan wants to get their money back from the sisters’ dad, Freddy, unacknowledged MacKilligan twins are trying to kill their Uncle Will, Mairi wants to destroy Max, and the sisters are trying to find their father to get the Scottish MacKilligans out of the States. So much going on and so many characters!

I really enjoyed this book and had been looking forward to Max’s book, though a part of me had hoped she was aromantic… Zé is such a cat and it was funny the number of times he’d find himself napping atop the China cabinet. I really love the dynamics between Max, Stevie, and Charlie - as vicious and mean as they can be towards each other, they always have each other’s back and would kill for their sisters. I also liked meeting Max’s team - Streep, Tock, Mads, and Nelle - with whom she plays professional basketball and completes dangerous jobs.

As much as I adore this series, I always warn people that it’s humor is the most messed up kind of humor, and I fully recognize it isn’t safe for all readers because of the jokes and throwaway comments/lines. If you enjoy violent and messy characters who gleefully get into the middle of fights and get a laugh out of lines like saying first shifter lesson is how to lick your own ass, you may enjoy this book/series!

*Note* Honey Badger Chronicles is set in a bigger universe with many characters whose stories were told previously, but you can follow the story within the series without reading the rest of the ‘verse, though individual books are NOT standalone.

Three and a half stars.

I don't even know where to begin with this. Maybe I just need to say honey badgers are being Honey Badgers. This is the novel for the third of Freddy MacKilligan's daughters, Max Yang. Being stalked by her mad cousin Mairi, Max is kidnapped but she realises that one of her kidnappers is not like the rest, in fact he is trying to help her, so even though she doesn't need his help she has to save the poor schmuck, especially when she realises that he is a shifter and doesn't know it.

Uncle Will is looking for Freddy, Max's mother has broken out of a high security prison (so everyone is looking for her), Mairi is looking for Max and there's a rogue clan kidnapping humans (I think).

I've got to be honest, I've decided I just don't like honey badgers. I love the wolves and the bears, I even like the hyenas but the honey badgers, not so much. They seem to jump up and down shouting 'I'm mad and dangerous, me' while sticking their tongues out. They are OTT and not very likeable. About a quarter of the way through I even put the book down and read something else because I was tired of the relentless honey badger factor. But then I picked it back up and either the honey badger had been toned down or I was just in a better mood because I speed-read the rest of the book.

This has everything I've come to expect from these books. Mayhem, cakes, basketball, vicious fights, family feuds and oodles of humour. If you liked the other two honey badger books I'm sure you'll love this one.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Another breakneck paced, chock full of laughs, honey badger book. The girls continue to battle evil, fall in love and take out the trash. I love these characters, I can’t wait for the next book. Lauren stone has created a world so vivid I feel like I can touch it. Max is the star of this book but you get plenty of Stevie and Charlie too. I definitely could not put this down. Highly recommended but read books 1 and 2 first.

I loved the first two books of this series, so I had high expectations for,this,installment. Maybe too high, because although I enjoyed this book, it was definitely my least favorite. Not really sure why, it just wasn't as funny and the intrigue wasn't there. Still a good diversion.

Shelley Laurenston has done it again. Though I am seriously hankering for Dutch, I am so glad that Max is now set up. And her love interest fits her so well! The banter is spot-on and the progression of the love story was a nice slow burn until the inferno. This book was a quick read that introduced more nuances to the shifter-verse that I can't wait for further books to explore. Shelley Laurenston gets you on her hook and keeps you there throughout this book, and throughout her series'. If you like hilarious, heart-warming, and engaging reads with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek sexy built in, this book is for you!

Snarky, laugh out loud off the chain chaos!
Max will have you rolling in the floor while everyone looks at you like you like,she’s gone bonkers.She is crazy and protective of her family. She’s also a bad ass that will smile in your face and mess you up.Everybody knows you don’t mess with a Honey Badger.
Ze doesn’t know he’s a shifter. When she saves her Kitty Cat his life will never be the same. Character interaction is amazing. You are definitely in for a treat.

Discussed in bimonthly SBTB Whatcha Reading post: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2020/03/whatcha-reading-march-2020-edition-part-one/

I enjoy this paranormal series a lot. It is hilariously over the top, and the characters are fun and irreverent. I really like the family dynamic of the main characters, and their extended family and friends.
The romance is secondary to the plot and is not the driving force, but rather the in and outs of the sisters lives and other people around them who impact them in some way.
The story is action packed and fast paced, and builds on events that are ongoing and continued from previous books in the series. The shifter world continues to expand and we are introduced to new characters, whom I hope will get their own stories.

Omg this is the best one yet!!! You know how sometimes when you read a series the first book is awesome and then the books just sort of get worse...THIS IS NOT THAT SERIES!!!
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Overall Rating: 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈
Kindle Unlimited: No
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Max has been a favorite character since book one. The no feeling, cold blooded killing machine who also likes to fight with EVERYONE just spoke to me! She was hilarious in all the previous books so I couldn’t wait to see how her book would go! It was AMAZING! Her story was AWESOMENESS with a side of laugh out loud for real!

Poor Ze, our little kitty that doesn’t know he is a kitty 🐱 until Max saves him and literally turns his world inside out and upside down! Ze was a Marine that has infiltrated a not so great group of mercenaries...that is until they try to kidnap Max and all hell breaks loose!

I can’t tell you how much I laughed, but before I was even 25% into the book, I was already telling my friends about the book! This book was total package for me, great characters, strong AF heroine, comedy, a little steam, and a story that kept me going well past my bedtime! I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! I just want this series to go on forever because all the characters are great and honestly the books just keep getting better!

This book has all my recommendations! Don't make me go all Max on you if you don't read it.... I mean it, read it!! LOVE IT!

This is the third book in the Honey Badger Chronicles and while it can be read as a stand alone, it is best read in order for the most enjoyment.

I really love honey badgers. They are hilarious and their resilience makes for some extremely funny and crazy action scenes. Max MacKilligan is the last of the MacKilligan sisters that we meet in book 1 of the series. She's generally more relaxed doesn't sweat the small stuff but she's also quick to violence and is very protective of her sisters. The book starts with her trying to deal with a plot point left hanging from previous books in the series. As I read the books about a year or so apart, I don't fully remember what it was but this book does a decent job of giving the reader enough information that you don't feel lost. While she's on this mission, she meets a man that she recognizes as a shifter but soon realizes he has no idea what a shifter is.

It was interesting to see a male lead that didn't know he was a shifter and how he goes about navigating a world he never realized existed. I dont' think I've read a book by Laurenston previously where she explored this topic and it was fun to read. It made for some very funny moments.

We get a lot of cameo's of previous Laurenston characters which is always enjoyable. I do wish we spent more time with the main couple and less with the bad guys or other secondary characters even when they were favorites from previous books. I really enjoyed watching the family dynamics and interactions the MacKilligan sisters have with others. Chaos and laughter are never far behind when the sisters are together.

There is some progression to the over-arcing story lines. We are introduced to a lot of new characters as well so there is plenty of expansion that can be done in this series. I hope so as I would love to read about these characters for a long time to come.

Ms Laurenston had the ability to humanize the Paranormal shifter she is writing about and make us care about them and make part of our family. All her books can be read as a stand alone but you get more from reading them in order. She has a way of making you care about the creature( bear, tiger or Lion, honey badger). MS Laurenston is able to give each shifter a specific voice and personality that translate from book to book, Badger to the Bone is the third book in the Honey Badger series which is the story of Max and her story of find HEA. I have to admite I love the book and cant wait for the next book in the series.

(4.5 Stars)

Shelly Laurenston’s shifter books are total mind-candy for me. She never fails to craft hysterical moments and provide cameos of our favorite characters from the Pride and Magnus Pack series. It took me a minute to adjust to Laurenston’s head-hopping style but it works in this honey badger installment. Readers that are familiar with Laurenston will adore this action-packed romp.

I have been following the MacKilligan sisters since the very beginning, stalking release dates like a maniac, and Max has always been my absolute favorite. There is something about her tiny homicidal self decorated with a smile that makes me undeniably happy. Watching her character growth since book one has been fantastic as you get to see some of the reasoning behind her actions as a sister (pestering Stevie) and more.

As much as I loved Badger to the Bone, I do wish that Zé’s story arc had a bit more to it. I loved his character and really wanted to see more of him as a primary character rather than just a sidekick to Max and her sisters.

Overall, this was such a fun way to wrap up the MacKilligan HEAs and we are primed for more honey badger action. I can hardly wait to see who gets their moment first! I am shipping on particular jackal with a certain lady (no spoilers!) HARD. Make it happen Laurenston, I’m here for it! Also, I need Dutch and his loony sisters. Dutch deserves a HEA too! (I’m almost positive I included this request at the end of my review for In a Badger Way. I really want it apparently!)

Falling in love is easy...but when you fall for a series of books? It never ending. Not sure if this will be the last book of this one, i pray not but the things that are revealed are soo good. And Max. I have always love Max...and now i love her more.


FAMILY. That is what these three books are about. It is not about blood. Nor race, nor the parents that we have or share. It is the love and the acceptance what all of us are connected and we in our hearts consider each other a family.

I work 6 days a week 9 hour days and this book was worth spending the few hours I have off reading it. Once again a hilarious addition to the honey badger books. I love Shelly's writing. No matter how bad or tiring of a week I have the read makes it a wonderful week. I tell everyone to read her books. I already have the audible on order can't wait to relive the story while working!

I love Shelly Laurenston - she is one of my favorite authors and all her series are awesome. That said, I would normally give her 5 stars without a thought but there was just something missing in this book. Max (sister of Charlie and Stevie) is a complex, interesting character and I love her interactions with her siblings, extended family and teammates. However, the love interest in this story doesn't stand up and doesn't seem strong enough for Max. The character is too nice but also just blah. Most of the book is great but the interactions b/ween Max and Ze are flat.

The book is still great and definitely recommend! Laurenston is a stellar writer and has rich characters with central female friendships while also including romance. So Huzzah!

4.75 stars.
I loved this one so much....but then I never had any doubts to start with...."mad" Max Mackilligan and her crazy honey badger sisters..... such divine stuff!!!! ....absolutely hilarious reading!!!!...plus the added benefit of super-cool cat..... ZeZé Vargas.....and all the usual suspects.

OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY!!!!

I SAVORED EVERY MINUTE OF READING TIME!!!

In fact, I am totally incapable of being objective here as this is my absolute favorite type of snarky, tongue-in-cheek humor. So I say, if you like to laugh or enjoy "quirky" paranormal romances then with this series you have hit the motherlode!!!
Max “Kill It Again” MacKilligan possibly my most favorite of the honey badger sisters.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review (truly, I would have begged for this one!!!).

I have always had a great love for this author and her books, but it feels like she keeps getting pulled away from the romance genre and into some weird mix of mystery and humor. Not to say I don't always enjoy her books, but they aren't as they used to be. Which, is very disappointing for me. I expect romance when I read a book in the "romance" genre. Only one sex scene and a few kisses doesn't make it a romance, it makes it just plain fiction. I hope to read more from this series in the future, as I always will read for the humor and dialogue alone. However, I can prep myself not to expect the 'romance' part of the story to be minimal.

4.5*
This is the 3rd book in the Badger series and I do have to say it is my favorite of all 3!
Max was a great protagonist and Zé was really adorable.
I liked that this book focused more on interpersonal relationships and not so much on action. There is still active but it wasn't overpowering the plot. And the humor was on point!
Having the perspective from Zé was also really enlightening and I totally understand his reactions and him one of the more realistic characters in this series.
The only thing I wished for was a bit more romance, it felt a bit underdeveloped which is a shame.
Still an awesome book with kickass heroines and incredible humor!

I thought I knew what to expect from Max's book, the final one in the honey badger trilogy. After reading so many Shelly Laurenston books, I should know better. In Charlie's book, we saw the focus on her sisters, in Stevie's it was on them and the Jean-Louis Parker family, and now with Max's book I thought it would go the loner route with Dutch. Oh, no. Max has a set of four BFFs from her professional shifter basketball team! The honey badger squad! Are they sequel bait? I guess we'll wait and see, I certainly hope so.
So the basketball friends are also there for Max in the deadly and violent ways she needs when she's kidnapped. That's how she meets Zé Vargas, and realizes he's a shifter. Except he doesn't know, and they're surrounded by full-humans. Uh oh. Anyways, she takes Zé home with her as they escape and he wakes up on a china cabinet in Queens. As one does. Then there's three strange women talking about how he's some kind of cat? And a panda bear? And bear triplets? And a lot of honey and bamboo in the house amidst the baked goods.
The romance is secondary here to the continuing adventures of the MacKilligan sisters as they deal with their nightmare father, cousin Mairi who is desperately trying to kill Max, and the rest of their zany relatives. Oh, and Max's mom has busted out of Bulgarian prison.
Badger to the Bone is my fave of the trilogy. Over the top and hilarious in that special Laurenston way, the bonds between the sisters are a highlight for me. A lot of new secondary characters are introduced in this book, with potential sequel bait amongst many of them. Zé learning about the many ways he is already a cat stereotype and finding his home among shifters is a delight.