Woo hoo!! The honey badgers are back....and with a vengeance. This is one of my favorite series. Laurenston is all about the mayhem and snark...and I just eat it up like candy. I loved visiting with Max and her basketball team. And of course Charlie and Stevie and all rest of the crazyy people they surround themselves with.

This is a slow-burn shifter romance. The main couple is Mads (Max's teammate) and Finn (one of the Malones that were introduced in previous books). We don't get to spend alot of time with just the two of them since there's so much going on with everyone else. I wish we could have have had just a little more backstory about them. But it's still an excellent book with lots of laughter and snark and danger and things getting destroyed. Plus, Honey Badgers!!!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Kensington, via NetGalley My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

So… starting a series on the 4th book isn’t the best way to go about it

It doesn’t help that there are so many characters introduced for one reason or another. And the POV switches to them too!

The honey badgers are interesting for sure. It’s just, there’s so much going on that the focus shifts away from Finn and Mads’ story. Which is somewhere in here for sure.

Maybe if I started this series in order I’d appreciate it more? Right now I’m just at ok now I get why I didn’t follow this author’s books like I did with other popular paranormal romance authors.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for this arc. I think I have to get back to you on this and read the 1st book.

My first reaction while reading this book was: what the heck am I reading? Because it was extremely random and silly, but after a while I got into the groove, and it became funny. The beginning is a bit confusing because there are a lot of characters and names being thrown around. Unfortunately, the overall plot kind of got lost in all the weirdness of this story. It was a bit too much. Also, I don't really think this should be tagged as a romance, because it had none. Having one small sex scene almost at the end does not a romance make, in my opinion. Read this for the humor. If you like G.A. Aiken you’ll probably like this too.

If I could get a new Laurenston book monthly I would be so happy!!!!! If you have ever read her you know what this book is like. It is hilarious, brutal, and so fun. This is Mads and Finn's story and they are just as crazy as the other shifters.

The MacKilligan sisters and some Malone boys, what could go wrong. This is a crazy fun romp. The secondary characters definitely have a lot of page time, but, that is never a bad thing. The best part, to me, was seeing the basketball team as kids. They were adorable. While not a typical romance, this book is just so enjoyable. As soon as I finished it, I was ready to read the next one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC.

For those who have read a Shelly book, the way she writes her stories are a bit mild and focus on the connection to the people in the book rather than the sexy parts

I have read that some people did not really enjoy it, however, given that we are dealing with honeybadger, they are the most unpredictable bunch.

From the start of Hot and Badgered there is a sudden shift in the writing style and humor can be both seen with her new books. And honestly, I LOVE IT!

Breaking Badger is a story full of humor and overall MacKilligan craziness. With some new characters in the mix and the Malone brothers on the new adventure, you get gore, action, humor, and a crazy kind of love story that will make you say, "They hooked up?!"


There is a modern-day approached to how the love connection is set up and I am trying to get used to the way it was written. The humor, still there dry at times, but that is Shelly for you.


Love is crazy. And in this book, is even crazier with the hybrid badgers and the Black Malone in the mix, there will be more adventure in the next books. Let's hope that the eldest one will mellow out.

You know the disclaimer. I was given a free copy of this book with only the expectation of an unbiased review in return. The disclaimers don't state that readers request which books they're interested in reading. I clicked this book because "shifters" are my go-to for escapist reading.

Short review:
A funny, chaotic, and delightful ensemble of characters that you'll read about with a smile on your face. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Longer version:
The prologue is only a hint of the chaos that is unleashed (unharnessed, uncaged, etc.) in this author's fantastical world. The characters aren't human. They aren't animal. They are simultaneously both. "It was simply the way she was." The result is an entire population of the most interesting people you'll never meet outside of the pages of a book.

So. Many. Characters.

After the prologue, shove your paws in the beehive of action and soak it up. Laurenston's world is like a music festival. Since I'm certain that Bonnaroo happens in one of the "Smithville" towns, it fits best. There's a dozen different stages of activities happening simultaneously and yet the campsites are equally entertaining. There's a main plot that is connected to half a dozen subplots and instead of a cut and dry beginning and end, it's an experience. A ridiculously entertaining experience that has the reader wearing a big, goofy grin on their face the whole adventure.

Buy the ticket. Take the ride.

Side note:
If I had to do college over again, I would spend a semester using this book and the DSM to recategorize personalities into animals, rather than diagnostic labels. 'It's simply the way we are.' Granted, it's not an idyllic coexistence. It's an ecosystem of predators and survivors. They get knocked down and pop back up again swinging. So do we all.

Shelly Laurensen writes hilarious books. I always enjoy reading them and this one was no exception. The only problem I experienced, was that I was very confused in the beginning. Though I have read all the books in this series, it seriously took me quite a few chapters to sort everyone out. The honey badgers are up to their old crazy tricks, and people are crazy enough to mess with them. A fun ride that laurensen fans will enjoy.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. I love this series and the developing stories of all the characters and Ms. Laurenston is always on my 'pre-order' list. Shelly Laurenston has done it again with her funny, quirky, human-shifter series of romance books. This is book four in the Honey Badger Chronicles and, while it can be read as a stand-alone, it is easier and more fun to have read the preceding three books. This book’s heroine is Mads Galendotter, half-honey badger/half-hyena shifter. The book starts with the backstory of how Mads met Max McKilligan and the other future members of their honey badger women’s basketball team. Fast forward to them as fulltime members of the professional shifter basketball league and parttime team who unofficially deals with threats to shifters/hybrids. Enter Finn Malone, one of the ‘Black Malones’. Finn is a large tiger shifter and seeks the person(s) who killed his father decades earlier. When Finn and his two brothers convince the fearless five honey badgers to help in their search, nothing and no one are off limits!
This is another solid entry in the series. The ‘romance’ is the smallest story arc in the book so it’s more about the backstory and progression of all the usual main characters. That’s why newcomers might enjoy starting with the first book in the Honey Badger Chronicles so you can keep all the characters straight. There's also a large amount of violence, another hallmark of this series, along with cussing and humor. Looking forward to the next one - wonder if it will be Keane and another honey badger?

You can use many words to describe this book. Quirky. Twisted. Insane. Funny. But most of all entertaining. I laughed, shook my head and marveled at this authors imagination. I so enjoyed reading this book.

I love the honey badgers, and this fourth book in the series was a laugh out loud fun ride!
*****
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 1 flame
Genre: Humorous PNR
*****
Good heavens, Max has been my favorite through all the books. In book 4, we have the entire basketball/blackops/robbery team. Fantastically funny!

Breaking Badger is an ensemble comedy with over-the-top violence, plot twists, and, of course, horrible family members. Although this book may be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the previous books for background and to get a sense of the characters, as there are many..

Finn and his brothers (the Black Malone's, black tigers with white stripes) are on a mission to find the people that killed their father and it seems they are going to have to turn to the honey badgers for help. The Black Malone's are black tigers... and they need help from the rambunctious honey badgers.... Honey badgers only help family, uh oh.... this is not going to go well.

This is a crazy chaotic laugh-a-minute journey through the antics of the dysfunctional basketball team, the dog-hating Malones, and, of course, each member of the MacKilligan's horrible extended family.

Regrettably, I missed the romance. The connection between Mads and Finn felt more like an afterthought than a major plot in the book. One minute they are barely talking to one another, then they are on one date and falling into bed immediately (at 75%). Now, that is not necessarily a bad thing because I enjoyed the heck out of the storyline and humor. However, because this is marketed in the romance genre, I took one star off because this is more a comedy (with copious amounts of blood and carnage) than a romance.

I've enjoyed all of the Honey Badger books, and I enjoy the craziness that comes with them. I wholeheartedly recommend and intend to continue reading this series.

In Breaking Badger, book 4 of Shelly Laurenston's Honey Badger Chronicles, Max and her teammates are at it again. This time Mads takes center stage. As usual, trouble, snark, and a lot of attitude abound as we learn more about Mads, her teammates, the MacKilligan sisters, the Black Malones, and various other shifters. We're even reacquainted with characters from previous Pride books.

Laurenston is an excellent writer. Characters are well defined, scenes are visual, and humor and snark are ever present. However, the plot meanders. You almost lose sight of where the story is going. Still, the result is a very enjoyable romp. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Hilarious conversations, lots of action and family first in this superb story from Shelly Laurenston!

Mads Galendotter is a honey badger/hyena shifter hybrid, mostly honey badger with mostly Viking from her hyena side. Mads' hyena family abused her and it was only her great-grandmother Solveig who loved her and made sure Mads learned what she needed for her dominant honey badger side. Mads' only outlet as a child being abused by her hyena cousins and the rest of her hyena family was basketball. Fortunately when Mads started middle school and tried out for the basketball team she met four honey badgers who would be her teammates all the way through to professional shifter basketball, the Wisconsin Butchers. One of those teammates is Max MacKilligan whose honey badger father passed on some really strange genes (as we have found out in previous books in the series) and lots of enemies. That causes some complications. Then there's the Siberian Tiger shifter Finn Malone. What is it about him that makes Mads feel so safe?

Finn Malone, Siberian tiger shifter, one of the Black Malones, meets up with Mads Galendotter at the Sports Center. He later joins her at a table in the food court and listens to her story about the recent death of her great-grandmother Solveig. It was a strange get together but Finn is a nice guy who decides to send Mads flowers in sympathy for Solveig's death. That's how it all began. The super crazy, strange events that begins Finn's relationship with Mads.

Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston is the fourth book in her Honey Badger Chronicles series. This book is full of crazy, zany shifter madness! It's all so much fun! There's lots going on and a reader dare not skip even one sentence while reading this book for fear of missing some of the fun and excitement. The Black Malones are looking for clues to who killed their father and they need Mac MacKilligan's help. The MacKilligans are in danger due to their crazy father's nefarious deeds. Mads is being harassed by her hyena family. Like I said there's lots going on in this book and I had a blast reading it. Mads and Finn are such an unlikely couple so it was great following their developing relationship. When I got to the street fair scene I was a little disappointed. Mads tells Finn the stage is set up for bands and there will be jazz, soul, hip-hop, reggae, blues and rap music. What no country music? Boo!

If a reader is looking for a super fun read with lots of action and craziness this is the perfect pick!

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I dnf'ed at 22%.

I have not read the other books in this series, and I'm pretty sure that's necessary to be able to keep track of the characters, their relationships, and their backstories. I could have kept muddling through, but it felt like I was being swept downstream by a deluge of names and histories that I couldn't reasonably keep track of.

I love this author's other works and maybe someday I'll start at the beginning, but this is not a good jumping in point for this series.

I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley.

A chance encounter during a planned ambush, leads to Finn Malone rescuing a bunch of honey badgers. Then horror upon horrors, they show up at his house with thank you Danishes. A Siberian tiger shifter and his two brothers eject them. Rescue is one thing, having them over is something completely different. Only it turns out that those badgers are the connection the Malone family needs to find out who killed their father. How do you get a honey badger to forgive you when they revile in grudges and treasure them above all things? Mads knows that her teammate Max will not forgive the cats, but helping the Malones out means that she can ignore her own family drama...

Why I started this book: Always request any Laurenston title on Netgalley. I love her humor and her heroines.

Why I finished it: We all need great teammates in our lives, people who will jump into the battle with you, and then turn around and tease you mercilessly. While this is a romance, it is also an ode to the power of friendship and the families you create when your own family is too dysfunctional for words.

Mads is focused on the shifter basketball playoffs. Finn is focused on finding his father's murderer. But when an op has Mads and Finn crossing paths will their focus change?
Breaking Badger is fourth in Shelly Laurenston's Honey Badger Chronicles. I enjoyed getting to know Max's possy a bit better. I enjoyed seeing their beginning and their continued closeness. Ms. Laurenston continues to make me laugh at the antics of the honey badgers and friends. They are certifiable crazy but I would want them at my back any day of the week. And seeing Finn adjust to the craziness that surrounds Mads is enjoyable. He isn't quite sure what to make of Mads much less her family. But I loved seeing him surrounded by and baffled by the crazy. He finds Mads important to him but it sure snuck up on him. And Mads is no better. She has a family that is chosen but isn't sure when it happened. I love that Ms. Laurenston gave her Finn to help her see what she has even as he makes a place for himself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to this series and can't wait to see where Ms. Laurenston will take us next.

At first the story was just a jumbled mess of everyone and everything. While the romance between Mads and Finn is not the main focus of the book it was still sweet for them being shifters. Enjoyed seeing Max and her team in action as well as seeing Charlie and Stevie again. Also get to seem some of the others from the previous books. This book is fast paced with lots of action including some gory parts (and I do mean parts). Learned more about Max's teammates and their backstories. Some very funny parts that were laugh out loud. Still enjoying this series.

5 stars

I loved this book these characters are so fun, It was a very entertaining all my favourites showed up and it was good to see how they were doing. The romance happens in the last part of the book but this didn't take anything away from the story I love seeing the crazy plots and twists and turns this author comes up with.

I can't wait for the next book!!

I enjoyed my visit to this world.


ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


My honest opinion on the book: I liked it but kinda disliked it at the same time. Bare with me. My favorite part of this was the fact that this is by one of my favorite authors ever. You can hear her voice and see of humor even in a her worst books. And even one of my least favorite books is a million times better than anything else alive read. That being said, this was a very "meh" book. What I mean by that is I'm having trouble even remembering alot about the main couple together; they were cute but not alot of chemistry. The book could have done without the romance and been fine; which is unheard of in a romance book. Like my main joy of romance books is the romance itself and I could honestly have cared less. But my main issue I it focused on the three badger sisters more than it should have. I love cameos but it had too much focus on them when it's supposed to be someone else's book. In the end would I recommend it; yes if you've read the series and everything else by this author. She does good work. However, in the future this is just going to be a filler book. Enjoyed by fans but not needed in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Omg, omg, omg. Badgers!!!
If you have not read the previous badger books, do not continue with this review, as spoilers will be ahead!!!





After the MacKilligan sisters, the books go on to Max’ teammates. This book particularly is about Mads, the serious, sporty one, with hyena genes mixed with the honey badger. We also read about all the previous characters. I love how confident Stevie has become. She figured out her meds, isn’t as stressed out and found happiness with Shen. Love love love it!

Charlie is still the same badass as she is in all the books, her maternal side was definitely showing, even with Max’ teammates. Funny things, such as all the baking, even helping Mads with stuff by baking sweets. Adorable!

Max is working with her teammates in a sort of special ops team. That’s how they first interact with the “Black Mallones”. (We’ve already met this side of the Mallones family, as the youngest sister of the Mallones is also the youngest MacKilligan sister, as we learned in the previous Badger book). The badgers get left behind by the backup and the Mallones save them. But thanking the Mallones doesn’t go the way the badgers planned….
However, Mads is easygoing and forgives Finn, and offers to help the Mallones with a personal quest. And sparks sort of fly….?

This book has the same quirks as the other books by Shelly Laurenston, I’m a huge fan of all her works, and I always always recommend her books. This one is no different. I read this book so quickly, and then again. I’m currently reading it for the third time… I laugh out loud every time.

I’m still waiting for my paperback ARC, but I’m really really happy to have been given the opportunity to read the book through NetGalley, because I couldn’t wait until the book was officially published. This book does not disappoint!!!!

Yes, honey badger gang is back! Breaking Badger is another hit for Laurenston. Her ability to describe laugh-out-loud shifter brawling, gun action, sports, and the occasional romance scene is one of the best in the paranormal romance genre. Yet, another satisfying and enjoyable romp for fans of Shelly Laurenston and G.A. Aiken's paranormal books.