Shelly Laurenston returns to the uproarious, madcap adventures of her Honey Badger Chronicles with In a Badger Way. Hybrid shifter Stevie MacKilligan has met the one bear shifter who doesn’t make her fearful—Shen Li, bodyguard and Giant Panda.
Stevie is a powerhouse due to the honey badger and tiger shifter abilities she shares. Unfortunately, she’s also a genius, highly sought after for her scientific insights, and prone to anxiety-induced panic attacks. It’s a deadly combination, especially as Stevie’s shifting becomes unpredictable when she’s riled up, anxious or off her much-needed medication. One of the few things that soothes her is Shen Li. Stevie thinks he’s adorable, given that he can shift into a Giant Panda instead of a terrifying bear that’ll send her blood pressure surging. When Shen is tasked with protecting and keeping the troublesome prodigy out of danger, he soon realizes this assignment should have come with a significant amount of hazard pay.
A scientist is doing experiments on shifters and the MacKilligan sisters have their hands full with finding their evil cousins, who are just coming into their own powers. The combination of both plots make this an action-packed paranormal romance and for those new to Laurenston, the best advice is to strap in for the rollercoaster ride of brash heroines, snarky side characters and over-the-top fight scenes. Laurenston really is one of a kind when it comes to rip-roaring shifter shenanigans.
Stevie’s relationship with her sisters is incredibly important and a central motivation for all three of the MacKilligan women, and Laurenston weaves in her developing relationship with Shen as a counterweight of sorts. In many of Laurenston’s romances the women take the lead, whereas the heroes serve to complement the heroines’ strengths in strong and supportive ways. In a Badger Way is no different. Shen is the calm to Stevie’s storm, and isn’t threatened by Stevie’s unbelievable hybrid strength or her abnormal intelligence. He isn’t scared off by her mental illness. He is Stevie’s rock in the best way possible and the way he anchors her makes him, in this reviewer’s eyes, worthy of sainthood.
In a Badger Way is pure, unadulterated fun. It’s ten pounds of bursting-at-the-seams excitement in a five pound bag. You’ll cheer on the MacKilligan sisters and their antics, wish you could cuddle with Shen Li and thoroughly wish for Stevie to get her happily ever after. No one does it like Shelly Laurenston when it comes to unique, unparalleled heroines and the heroes who can’t help but love them. Even when they’re honey badgers.
