I have to reread the ARC and will likely not post a public review until I've read the final published version, but aside from my notes to the publisher, this was a pretty solid addition that will hopefully get a chance to be polished over before release! I love this series and have been so excited for it; I REALLY want it to do well!

100 STARS! Yep, no lie. Snarky, genuinely funny, sizzling, and full of off-the-wall adventure (and crazy badger violence) and characters - you don't want to miss this series! One of the few authors that will make me laugh out loud with the dry, deadpan delivery and snark - nothing is better than the badgers! Our favorite socialite/privileged badger gets stuck with the beyond grumpy tiger - sparks fly, quite literally! The dry wit and blatantly accepted violence is beyond hysterical, yes really!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC. To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston 6th book in her badger series. Her badger series are my favorite series out of all her series. Nelle Zhao is an amazing character we have seen in her last 5 books. I’m so happy she got her own book and Keane Malone has been in many books so we have also seen his character grow and adapt. I loved 5 out of 5 stars.

I thought I would bust a gut laughing so hard. The dirty looks I got when I laughed uncontrollably were worth it. It was hard explaining why I was laughing when my husband asked. I would just start laughing all over again.

The Honey Badger Chronicles series is always entertaining. The stories are packed with over the top drama. The Mackilligans and the the basketball players always seem to be getting mixed up in something that would put them at risk. The fights get graphic and full of the unexpected.

To Kill a Badger was all that and so much more. It is loaded with shocking manipulations as the "Old Crones" from previous books decide to use the MacKilligans, Nelle, and Keane. The question is why.

Sure there were issues with the De Medici family. Charlie had let that be known in Born to be Badger. Keane and his family definitely had issues with the De Medici family. Vengeance is a strong motivator. That anger helps them through battle after very colorful battle. Keane and Nelle frequently find themselves in the wrong place using everything they have to survive.

Along the way Keane and Nelle dance around the attraction. Who knew Keane could play hard to get. As I kept reading, dealing with conflict after conflict, I had to wonder if they would make it and accept love.

Fun read! I love reading the Honey Badger series. This story is actioned packed with a side of romance. I liked seeing how Nelle and Keane relationship developed. I enjoyed the side characters, they make the story entertaining. If you love shapeshifters, romance, action, and comedy reads - you will enjoy this one.

Shelly Laurenston's Honey Badger series always gives me a good laugh. It just always has the most ridiculous things happen that are unbelievable, but still entertaining. I liked Nelle, but I think Keane was my favorite main character in this story with his very catlike manners. I'd personally consider this a slow burn on the romance side of the story, but the crazy situations make up for that. While I'm not a fan of insta-love, it felt like they took a long time to decide on a relationship. This could have been intentional based on Keane's cat personality though.

We of course get to see more of the MacKilligan sisters (Charlie is baking a lot in this story), but we also see more of the "Old Crones" as Max likes to call them. I saw that Shelly signed a 2 book contract to go more into Tracey and her friends from the 80s/90s, and I look forward to reading them. With that many characters though, there were quite a few POV jumps and it got a little hard to follow sometimes.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

To Kill a Badger is what fans of Shelly Laurenston/GA Aiken have come to expect from the author's books -- lots of action, adventure, sass, snark, family/friends crazy time, strong female characters and the males that can't help but find that sexy and love them, and everyone willing to lend a helping claw when needed (even when not asked for or maybe not so needed). While there are plenty of the expected twists, OMG! and LOL moments, it light in the actual romance department. The story wraps up the ongoing plot that has been through the Badger series related to who killed the Malone brothers' father and stopping the de Medicis lion coalition. The start Nell & Keane's romance has been hinted at during the prior books and (as with the past few books) the actual relations just sort of evolves as the book progresses, almost in the background of everything else going on. This was one area I would have liked a little more story. That isn't to say the book is boring or slow as there is a lot going on, just not always with those two. There is a large cast of characters (primarily introduced via the prior badger books) with their own parts in the overall story. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend this as entry point read, better to go back, if not to the start of the Pride series, at least to the start of the badger books so you can better appreciate the story, characters and mayhem. For fans of the author and series, as long as you aren't looking just for the romance, this is wild but enjoyable ride to the resolution of the series.

3 stars - I liked it

This book picks up shortly after the previous book ended. The de Medicis are still after the badgers and they have a way to paralyze and possibly kill them. Nelle Zhao and Keane are working together to secure alliances with other badger families to help deal with the de Medicis. Along the way, they both realize they have fallen for each other.

Since they were introduced I have liked Keane and Nelle, so I was excited to finally see how they fall in love. Nelle and Keane’s relationship formed as they worked together and got to learn more about each other, much like the previous couples. Keane is such a grumpy cat who expects everyone to do as he asks but he has no problem letting Nelle lead, even if he knows it will lead to chaos. I really enjoyed the banter between these two and the shenanigans they got into.

The fight to bring down the de Medicis’ finally comes to an end in this one. The MacKilligan sisters end up working with Mads aunt Tracy and her band of crazy honey badger friends to gather information and allies. The Old Crones, as Max calls them, were interesting and caused all kinds of chaos. While I did like them, I also felt like they overtook the story. I wanted more of the MacKiligans and team, not the Old Crones, especially when it came to rescuing Nelle. It just felt like they kind of derailed the storyline a little and took away from the team dynamic that we had seen in the previous books.

Back to the fight against the de Medici’s though. I really enjoyed how the MacKilligan sisters dealt with the de Medicis in the end, especially the leader. What I didn’t love was that this battle ended up feeling like a second storyline instead of the main storyline. Nelle and Keane’s attempt to set up alliances ended up feeling like the main storyline, and that was a bit of disappointment with how little it ended up being relevant to the de Medici’s. I think I just wanted more of the MacKilligan sisters and their team working on these issues instead of handing it off to the older generation of badgers.

While I did enjoy the couple, I do have some issues with character changes in this one. In previous books, Nelle was terrified of Charlie, as were the other teammates, and yet in this one we don’t see that. She doesn’t show fear at all. It was just a bit jarring when in all previous scenes with the basketball team, they all were very cautious and scared around Charlie. Also Nelle acts like she and Charlie are the two who keep everyone in line, when we didn’t see any of that from her in previous books.

My other issue was with the Dunn triplets. In this book, they felt so flat and dumbed down. In previous books we see them as being smart and compatible bodyguards who have actual conversations, but not in this. They were barely in the story and what little we did get was them being emotionless triplets who just grunt instead of talking. It was jarring and confusing, especially for characters that are heavily featured in this series.

One last issue was with the character Manse. What was his deal? Why was he an enemy of honey badgers, mainly the Old Crones. What happened between them that led to the scenarios in this book? It just felt like his character was thrown into the story and we were just expected to know who he was and why he hates honey badgers.

So while I enjoyed Nelle and Keane’s relationship, I couldn’t overlook the other issues I found with this book, which really sucks because I love this series. I still love her work but I think this one just didn’t work for me as much.

TW: gun violence; kidnapping; car accidents; death and gore; death of parent mentioned; claustrophobia; panic attacks;

I got a free copy of this book and I’m leaving a review of my own free will with my own opinions.

5 stars, same as all Shelly Laurenston’s books. This book, To Kill a Badger, is the latest (and probably last) book in the badger series, a spinoff of her pride series. This book is about Nelly, the rich honey badger and Keane, the oldest Malone brother of the Black Malones, a big big tiger. Keane is also the half brother of Nat, the newly discovered half sister of the McKilligan sisters.

Ill first say, I had to reread the previous book to get a lot of the context. I started this book almost as soon as I got it, but because it had been nearly a year since Tock’s book, I did not get a lot of the references, so I reread that book first.

So, without spoilers, here is my review. This book (obviously) continues where the previous book left off, with Nelly and Keane getting closer, while dealing with everything that is happening in the badger world.
We also see more of the “old crones” and their hijinks.

The book is full of Laugh Out Loud moments, Nelly and Keane slowly growing closer, we meet new foo’s and fly in a lot of private jets. Where in the pride books the romance is the plot, it is not in the badger series. Every book does revolve around a couple, but it’s not the main focus point, which I like!

So, if you like crazy shifters, a romance sub plot and a lot of chaos, you should read this book! .

.5 STARS

Social media influencer Gong “Nelle” Zhao rides herd on her honey badger, badger hybrid basketball teammates. She knows that they are constantly on the edge of chaos and sometimes right over. Someone is trying to wipe out the badgers worldwide as well as an issue right in her own backyard with some mafia type lions known as the de Medicis. And like their historical namesakes, the de Medicis are ruthless, aggressive, and responsible for taking out amur hybrid tiger Keane Malone’s father years before. Keane is not a fan of people; he only likes his family…some of them anyway… and very few others. Whether he likes it or not, Nelle is determined help Keane and keep her family and team safe.

Keane and Nelle would certainly seem like the picture for opposites attract. His life revolves around protecting his family and seeking revenge. He does not like people, roars when disturbed, and feel like he is being dragged along against his mighty will by the very clever Nelle. Nelle loves all things of beauty and expense; she likes most of her family except a bridezilla sister who is getting on her last nerve with wedding ridiculousness.

As is usual with this series, several of the other badgers, lions, tigers, wolves, bears as well as assorted hybrids and their significant others are involved in the story. The original three sisters, Charlie, Max and Stevie have their parts to play and are generally my favorites. It is always a wild ride to see what the very lethal and underestimated Charlie will do once she gets mad. The others know that is to be avoided if at all possible. There are many plots in this books and points of view that can get confusing at times to the detriment of the story; but somehow, the author keeps it moving forward. This story is the sixth book in the Honey Badger Chronicles and best read in series order.

Let the hilarity ensue….

……because as a dedicated reader to this author, to this series, you know it will.

That’s the thing. If you’ve been an ardent follower (and this reader has been way before “The Honey Badger Chronicles”); think back to the Grandaddy of it all, “The Mane Event” then the bar is set pretty high. The original series stands up with multiple re-reads.

This book, not so much. Too many subplots going on. There’s Nelle and Keane, of course. Then the female middle aged quartet. Then Charlie and her siblings. Then Nelle’s teammates Mads, Tock, Max and Streep. ( Would have preferred the author lean heavy on the teammates than the quartet) .Then the antagonistic relationship with Nelle’s sis when her more complicated one with the mom would’ve been more interesting.

Too much going on. Know it’s suppose to tie together but found these subplots loosely held together with not much cohesiveness.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Kensington Publishing | Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#ToKillaBadger #NetGalley

6 books in and I'm still falling in love with this series. honestly I know there is something in these books that keep you coming back.

I couldn't put it down! Such a great addition to the series!! I loved the little cameo of one of my favorite people!

Of all the Badger books, this one is probably my least favorite. There didn't really seem to be that much of a connection with the couple and when Keane finally realizes his feelings for Nelle, it seemed a little abrupt. I found myself more interested in what Charlie was going to do about the De Medicis.

Don't get me wrong, the book fits well in the series and it is tying up a lot of loose ends, it just didn't grab me the way the other books did.

I chose to go back and reread this whole series before starting this book, which I’m not sad about as I love this world and these characters. I’m so excited to finally have Keane and Nelles story! It did not disappoint. There’s the same humor, action, steaminess we’ve come to love from this author and the inclusion of the “crones” really brought this series to a new level of insanity. Go, buy this, buy the series if you haven’t yet. In fact take it back to the Pride series if you haven’t yet.
This was an advance reader copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This Badger shifter universe is expanding with many new wonderful characters for you to connect and lol with.
You must read previous books in the series to get the full blown effect of how these characters weed their way into your life.
This is the book for you if you just want to escape life for a little while in this Shape Shifting world.
A chaotic wonderful funny world you won’t want to leave.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

To Kill a Badger
Shelly Laurenston

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 of 5)
Spice 🌶️
Advanced Reader Copy (Netgalley)

The sixth installment in The Honey Badger Chronicles throws readers right back into the chaos as Nelle and Keane team up to finally take down the ruthless Pride that murdered Keane’s father and won’t stop hunting the MacKilligan sisters.

Picking up immediately after the ending of Book 5, the duo sets off for Europe with one mission: eliminate the deadly Italian Medicis once and for all. But nothing ever goes smoothly in a world full of shifters. With betrayals, unexpected attacks, and laugh-out-loud moments, the stakes have never been higher for Nelle and Keane. Will Nelle and Keane’s mission bring them closer together, or will it tear the fragile alliance between the Malones and MacKilligan crew?

What I Loved
Character development was a major highlight, especially among the secondary characters. Charlie and her sisters have grown so much over the series, and I loved every moment of their chaotic, hilarious interactions.

Shelly’s humor shines through once again! The honey badgers are as outrageous and entertaining as ever. I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times, especially thanks to Shelly’s sharp writing and timing.

What Didn’t Work for Me
The romantic connection between Nelle and Keane felt a bit forced. Compared to earlier books in the series, the romance here felt more like a subplot than a central theme. If you’re looking for strong romantic tension, this one leans more toward urban fantasy than romance.

The scene transitions were abrupt, which made it occasionally hard to stay grounded in the action. When I was fully immersed in a moment, the POV or setting would shift without warning, pulling me out of the story.

Final Thoughts
Despite a few bumps, this was another fun entry in Shelly Laurenston’s wild and unpredictable world. It had the laughs, the bite, and the badger chaos I’ve come to expect from the series. I can’t wait to see where she takes these characters next!

Once again Shelly Laurenston writes a hilarious honey Badger story. Nelle the badass honey badger and her Amur Tiger, Keane that reluctantly goes along with her insane plans which eventually lead to a love. All the secondary characters are back for the ride, with all their murderous, thieving tendencies and hilarious interactions. If you have never read Larenston’s books which include her alias of GA Aiken you are missing out!
Truly, I can’t recommend her books enough if you need a laugh, often bursting out of you and you husband wondering what is so funny

To Kill a Badger
by Shelly Laurenston is the sixth book of the Honey Badger Chronicles. These books are pure entertainment with so many laugh out loud moments - the violence is so over the top it is hilarious.
Honey Badgers attract trouble like no one’s business.
Nelle Zhao is a honey badger with a talent for organizing and taking care of those she cares about about. The deMedici lions have been killing shifters and humans. Now the de Medicis are trying to kill the honey badgers.
The Honey Badgers are on their own - none of the shifter coalitions will help. Keane Malone doesn’t expect any help from them because no one lifted a finger when his father was murdered years ago - now Keane knows the de Medicis were responsible. Keane and Nelle are on a mission to protect their own.
There was a lot of moving parts to the story line with some interesting twists. Really fun to read and hated to finish.
#NetGalley

Another terrifically funny, completely manic, rollercoaster ride of insanity featuring the quirkiest bunch of characters ever created.
I have laughed my way through this whole series and while Nelle and Keane may not be the strangest couple this may be the strangest courtship of the series.
I can’t recommend this series enough.