When I read this book I was giggling...a lot. I’m an accountant. I don’t giggle! As usual, Shelly Laurenston has written another fun and great book.
Just buy it.

Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston is rollickingly funny as the rest of the author’s books and I always have a good time reading them!

I just adore the honey badgers and the honey badger don’t care ethos but Max is probably my favourite with her nuttiness, twisty morality and sheer willingness to gut someone who looks at her sisters wrong. And then to force her to guide new shifter Zé was just the best as it was just a recipe for madcap escapades.

Zé was just adorable as well and I really enjoyed his thoughts as he experienced the shifter world (especially the bears and honey badgers) for the first time. It was really nice getting a bit of an outsider’s view on the world. I could just imagine being the one thinking ‘omg what the hell are you doing????’ and ‘why are you eating that?!’ if I was magically transported into that world 😆

The overarching arc of the Honey Badger series is also furthered along nicely and I can’t wait to see the mad adventure that author takes us on.


Arc provided by publisher via Netgalley.

Release:

Return to the weird and wonderful world of Shelly Laurenston’s Honey Badgers Chronicles with Badger to the Bone. Max’s book is a rip-roarin’ ride that’s a whole lot of fun, even though there are a lot of missed opportunities.

Badger to the Bone is Max’s story and for those who have read Hot and Badgered and In a Badger Way (which I recommend doing before reading this book) Max was the borderline sociopath MacKilligan sister. I was curious how Ms. Laurenston would turn her into a heroine without doing a character lobotomy. The answer is a bit of a mixed bag. Max is still deadly and full of attitude, but she’s no sociopath. She has previously unknown deep and longstanding friendships beyond her sisters and her best friend Dutch. She’s also far more stable and if not well-adjusted, then the closest approximation you’d find in this world. Because I’ve read the previous two Honey Badger books I found the lack of consistency in her character jarring, as Max didn’t so much grow as a character or reveal hidden layers as suddenly have those layers appear because it suited the story. In terms of storytelling, it felt like some shortcuts were taken. But that doesn’t mean I disliked Max – far from it. She’s violent and crazy, but also fun and caring.

A mad MacKilligan needs an unflappable hero, and ZeZé Vargas was a delicious one. Zé has no idea he’s a shifter at the beginning of the book so watching him discover this part of himself he never knew was a delight. Zé is so catlike it was hilarious and I can’t count the number of times he made me laugh. I really liked Zé and Max together, but their romance did feel at first underplayed and then rushed. I wish it had developed more organically. I also wish Zé had played a bigger role in the events of the story, but he was mostly an observer which was a pity.

There are a number of plots to be tied up in Badger to the Bone and a host of familiar faces from both this series and the Pride series show up to play a part. I can’t say much without spoiling things, but I did enjoy watching everything come together. If I had one issue it was that Max and Zé were distanced from many resolutions, which was a bit frustrating. I wanted them to be more important to their own story than they were.

Badger to the Bone is a difficult book to put a star rating on. There were so many missed opportunities that I am saddened by. However, I had a genuinely wonderful time reading this book. It was fast-paced, funny, and totally bonkers – I loved reading it. Ultimately this book is like cotton candy: thoroughly enjoyable but missing substance. But hey, who doesn’t like cotton candy once in a while?

Rated 4.5 Stars

Badger To The Bone is hilarious. I loved it. I think it might be my fave book of the series and I loved the first two books. I've been waiting for Max's book and it totally didn't disappoint. It was funny, quirky and violent. It was everything I'd hoped for and so much more. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I love this series and highly recommend it.

I'm so glad to get my hands of the 3rd installment and be back in this world of wackiness and mayhem that is so freakin' hilarious!!!
Book three is about Max and Ze and like the last one I thought the "romance" part was very, very slow burn and understated, again due to all the craziness that was going on around them. It certainly didn't lower my rating at all but for those who enjoy an insta-love story, this one definitely isn't that! Max is certainly not your hearts and flowers kinda girl.
I did enjoy Max and Ze together, I wouldn't say there were fire works to begin with and really there was hardly any intimate scenes (totally fine) but I absolutely loved Ze and how he was and how he treated Max, as we all know Max needed a very special kind of guy for her lol. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey to "I love you's" and HEA.
Max, with all her "kill them again" craziness, was in my opinion awesome. Such a well developed character who made absolutely no apologies for the way she was! She loved hard and protected all those she considered important to her. Ze grew on me as the story progressed, he was such a cat lol.
The relationship and banter these three sister's have is so funny and I had some laugh out loud moments for sure. I love how they always have each others back and take no crap from anyone and I do mean anyone!
Loved how life is developing for Charlie and Stevie and getting to know Max's friends, also mostly all honey badgers. What a new interesting bunch of characters who I really hope the series continues with or turns into a spin-off as Streep, Tock, Nelle, and Mads all need their stories told.
I really recommend reading this authors Pride and also Magnus Pack series so that you can truly appreciate ALL the characters that make an appearance because there certainly are a lot. So many and I loved every mention of them all (as I miss these characters and their brand of craziness) so I wasn't at all left wondering who was who!
Overall another AWESOME addition to the Honey Badgers series and I really hope there are more to come!!!!!

I loved this book even though I shuddered and laughed my way through it. The snark, savage and hilarious sisters are so entertaining. While being downright contrary Max still manages to make me roll my eyes with her personality. Natalie was a shock that I should have seen coming but failed to. I blame that on the author's masterful.writing! I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review.

Absolutely loved it. I love Max, Charlie is still my favourite but Max is a very close second. I love their relationship and insanity I’m sad to see this series end, all maybe we will get a 4th book I hope ! Another fast paced and addictive read, full of humour, snark and kick ass females who don’t need anyone to save them. 100% recommended read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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.

Overall: 4/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5 Stars
Series Continuity/Expectations: 5/5 Stars
Personal Opinion: 4.5/5 Stars

I'm not even a little bit surprised that this was another win for me. I've really loved all the books from this world (this series and a couple of other interconnected series with some character overlaps) and this one is no exception. I'm just really glad that I wasn't reading this when anyone was around or I probably would've had them convinced I was certifiable with all the snorts and outright belly laughs that burst out of me at random times.

The only real ding this gets from me is that the romantic line of this story isn't quite a prominent as it is in most of the other books in this world. I would have really enjoyed more time with Max and Zé interacting, but their parts together are almost an afterthought to everything else that was going on.

It is because there is a whole lot of other stuff going on that this still manages to be an excellent book. This is an absolute recommend (along with pretty much every single other book in this world) for anyone that loves irreverent, snarky humor with a small side of steam.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions stated are honest and my own.