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Pride #9
Bite Me
Livy Kowalski has no time for idiots. When you shapeshift into a honey badger, getting through life’s irritants is a finely honed skill. Until she gets stuck housing her nutso cousin and dealing with her dad’s untimely and unexplained demise.That’s where Vic Barinov comes in—or his house does. Vic can’t step outside without coming back to find Livy devouring his honey stash and getting the TV remote sticky. It gets his animal instincts all riled up. But he’ll have to woo her at high all hell is breaking loose, and Livy is leading the charge…
375 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
335 people are currently reading
3938 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
46 books7,934 followersOriginally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A. Aiken's dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 802 reviews
February 23, 2017
4.5 Honey Badger Don't Give A Shit Stars
Some Spoilers
“I plan to rain down vengeance on the man who did this to my father and anyone protecting or helping him. And you trifling band of miscreant felons are going to help me.”
“You know how emotionally vested the wolves get about dominance. Why don’t you just go beat up some puppies, too?” Vic heard what sounded suspiciously like a giggle. “Okay! I get it,” she said. “I’ll send them an ‘I’m sorry’ basket of Milk-Bones to make it up to them.” “You are so mean.” “I know. It’s a genetic flaw.”
Bite Me is the 9th book in the Pride series and totally kicks ass. I was really worried after the last two books. OMG this book redeemed the last two boring books. I love the plot, love the MC, love the other characters, and I freakin love the Honey badgers. The whole time I was reading this book I was picturing that funny honey Badger video. (here is the link if you wanna watch said funny honey badger video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wH...
What this book is about
Livy Kowalski is honey badger, but she turned away from the honey badger way of life. "You know Honey badger just takes what it wants and honey badger just don't give a shit." Livy is the outcast of her family because she became a photographer. Vic Barinov is a grizzly bear/ tiger hybrid and a mercenary for hire. Livy and Vic like each other, but so far have only been friends until Livy turns to Vic for comfort when she finds out something very upsetting. Livy finds her father in a rich woman's living room, stuffed. She knows that she will stop at nothing to take down those who hunted, murdered, and stuffed her father! Vic knows he will be there for her, by her side helping her in any way he can. Sparks fly, lines get crossed and the honey badgers are out for blood!!!
“I’m okay,” she whispered, her legs wrapping around his waist, her arms clinging to his neck. “I really am.” “I thought I lost you,” he admitted against her neck. “You know my kind is too mean to go out that easy. We make a man work for it.”
Vic:
Vic pressed his hands to either side of Livy’s face. “What are you doing?” “Thinking about how beautiful you look in the morning.” “I’m not making you breakfast.” “Come on,” Vic whined. “I’m starving!”
Vic is quirky like all hybrids. He has a crazy tail that has a mind of it's own. His bear side and his tiger side are at war with each other. Most of the time he is more bear laid back, and logical, but when he loses control and his tiger comes out he is rough, wild, and ready to pounce. Vic is really sweet, and thoughtful. He seems to read and understand Livy like no one else. Vic really is prefect for her. His bear side helps calm Livy and keeps her from getting to wild and his tiger side is rough enough to keep her interest.
“But you’re going up against bears, Livy.” He pointed across the tent they were in. “I mean, look at that guy over there.” The eight-foot polar realized that Vic was talking about him. “Hey! What are you pointing me out for? Like I’m some kind of freak? That just hurts my feelings, man!” “Oh, suck it up,” Vic growled. “Your feline is showing,” Livy warned. “Because you’re not being rational and there’s an eight-foot, four-hundred-pound whiny baby over there begging me to claw the holy shit out of him.”
“I am Russian,” Vic said in a thick accent. “Vodka I know.” “I hate you,” Livy admitted, “because you sound really hot when you do that accent.” Vic leaned in and murmured in that damn accent, “I can do it more . . . just for you.”
Livy:
“Stop looking so proud of yourself,” she snapped at him through her panting, “and get up here and fuck me.”
I freaking love Livy. OMG do I love her. I have a total girl crush. Livy is crazy, fun, sassy and will not think twice about going after anyone. Lion, bear, snake Livy don't care. She kicks major ass! Livy is rather mild when it comes to being a honey badger. Livy's family thinks she is soft because instead of following in the family steps of stealing, hurting others, and starting shit so she can and sitting back and watch other people's pain she would rather focus on her art photography. Livy is wild enough that Vic can let his cat off the leash and get rough. She also is accepting of his crazy tail and other quirks.
“You make me want to burrow,” Livy told him, her arms moving down to his waist as she snuggled into his chest. “Usually I want to burrow away from people,” she murmured. “You’re the first I’ve ever burrowed toward.”
“Fuck,” Livy said as she buried her face in her hands. “What? What’s wrong?” She looked at him. Actually, it was more of a scowl. She scowled at him. “I’m in love with you,” Livy snapped. “And it’s your fucking fault.” “Uh . . . sorry?” “Oh, shut up.” “Well . . . if it makes you feel better, I’m in love with you, too.”
“Vic?” “Mhmmm?” “I’m starving.” “Oh, thank God. I’m so hungry.” “Why didn’t you say anything?” “It seemed tacky to come, roll off you, and go get something to eat. I hate tacky.” “I actually appreciate that. But right now I’m hungry.”
I really love Vic and Livy together they had a very sweet relationship. I found myself invested in this couple. I enjoyed the hell outta all the honey badger craziness in this book. The plot kept my attention. There was some more Eggie in this book. Yay!!! Love me some Eggie. Tons of humor in this book, some hot sex scene, and a very cute romance. Great read. I will definitely be reading more books by Shelly Laurenston! Below I leave a few of my favorite moments from this book:
“Hello, my hybrid brother!” Vic crowed. “Christ, Novikov,” Jake demanded. “How much vodka did you give him?” “I don’t know. A bottle. Or two.” He then picked Vic up in a fireman carry, and Livy rushed up the stairs to unlock the door. Novikov carried him to their room, dropping Vic onto the bed. “Can you make it back to the wild dog house?” Livy asked. “Of course,” Bo snapped. “I’m not weak like him. I’m strong. Cossack strong.” Then Novikov walked into a wall, stumbled back, and passed out on the floor by the bed.
“We will make the ones who did this to our brother pay and pay and pay until there is nothing left.” He finally released her from the hug, but he still kept one arm around her as he faced the rest of the family. “Now the world bleeds—” “Or,” Livy emphatically cut in, “we can just go after the ones who did this. Rather than taking it out on the entire world. That seems excessive.” “If you’re sure.”
“You get to work.” Vic put his hands behind his head. “And make it good, baby.” “Typical lazy feline . . . and bear,” she muttered as she placed her knees on either side of his hips. “Leaving it to the honey badger to do all the work.” “That’s because felines and bears are smarter than everybody.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
Some Spoilers
“I plan to rain down vengeance on the man who did this to my father and anyone protecting or helping him. And you trifling band of miscreant felons are going to help me.”
“You know how emotionally vested the wolves get about dominance. Why don’t you just go beat up some puppies, too?” Vic heard what sounded suspiciously like a giggle. “Okay! I get it,” she said. “I’ll send them an ‘I’m sorry’ basket of Milk-Bones to make it up to them.” “You are so mean.” “I know. It’s a genetic flaw.”
Bite Me is the 9th book in the Pride series and totally kicks ass. I was really worried after the last two books. OMG this book redeemed the last two boring books. I love the plot, love the MC, love the other characters, and I freakin love the Honey badgers. The whole time I was reading this book I was picturing that funny honey Badger video. (here is the link if you wanna watch said funny honey badger video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wH...
What this book is about
Livy Kowalski is honey badger, but she turned away from the honey badger way of life. "You know Honey badger just takes what it wants and honey badger just don't give a shit." Livy is the outcast of her family because she became a photographer. Vic Barinov is a grizzly bear/ tiger hybrid and a mercenary for hire. Livy and Vic like each other, but so far have only been friends until Livy turns to Vic for comfort when she finds out something very upsetting. Livy finds her father in a rich woman's living room, stuffed. She knows that she will stop at nothing to take down those who hunted, murdered, and stuffed her father! Vic knows he will be there for her, by her side helping her in any way he can. Sparks fly, lines get crossed and the honey badgers are out for blood!!!
“I’m okay,” she whispered, her legs wrapping around his waist, her arms clinging to his neck. “I really am.” “I thought I lost you,” he admitted against her neck. “You know my kind is too mean to go out that easy. We make a man work for it.”
Vic:
Vic pressed his hands to either side of Livy’s face. “What are you doing?” “Thinking about how beautiful you look in the morning.” “I’m not making you breakfast.” “Come on,” Vic whined. “I’m starving!”
Vic is quirky like all hybrids. He has a crazy tail that has a mind of it's own. His bear side and his tiger side are at war with each other. Most of the time he is more bear laid back, and logical, but when he loses control and his tiger comes out he is rough, wild, and ready to pounce. Vic is really sweet, and thoughtful. He seems to read and understand Livy like no one else. Vic really is prefect for her. His bear side helps calm Livy and keeps her from getting to wild and his tiger side is rough enough to keep her interest.
“But you’re going up against bears, Livy.” He pointed across the tent they were in. “I mean, look at that guy over there.” The eight-foot polar realized that Vic was talking about him. “Hey! What are you pointing me out for? Like I’m some kind of freak? That just hurts my feelings, man!” “Oh, suck it up,” Vic growled. “Your feline is showing,” Livy warned. “Because you’re not being rational and there’s an eight-foot, four-hundred-pound whiny baby over there begging me to claw the holy shit out of him.”
“I am Russian,” Vic said in a thick accent. “Vodka I know.” “I hate you,” Livy admitted, “because you sound really hot when you do that accent.” Vic leaned in and murmured in that damn accent, “I can do it more . . . just for you.”
Livy:
“Stop looking so proud of yourself,” she snapped at him through her panting, “and get up here and fuck me.”
I freaking love Livy. OMG do I love her. I have a total girl crush. Livy is crazy, fun, sassy and will not think twice about going after anyone. Lion, bear, snake Livy don't care. She kicks major ass! Livy is rather mild when it comes to being a honey badger. Livy's family thinks she is soft because instead of following in the family steps of stealing, hurting others, and starting shit so she can and sitting back and watch other people's pain she would rather focus on her art photography. Livy is wild enough that Vic can let his cat off the leash and get rough. She also is accepting of his crazy tail and other quirks.
“You make me want to burrow,” Livy told him, her arms moving down to his waist as she snuggled into his chest. “Usually I want to burrow away from people,” she murmured. “You’re the first I’ve ever burrowed toward.”
“Fuck,” Livy said as she buried her face in her hands. “What? What’s wrong?” She looked at him. Actually, it was more of a scowl. She scowled at him. “I’m in love with you,” Livy snapped. “And it’s your fucking fault.” “Uh . . . sorry?” “Oh, shut up.” “Well . . . if it makes you feel better, I’m in love with you, too.”
“Vic?” “Mhmmm?” “I’m starving.” “Oh, thank God. I’m so hungry.” “Why didn’t you say anything?” “It seemed tacky to come, roll off you, and go get something to eat. I hate tacky.” “I actually appreciate that. But right now I’m hungry.”
I really love Vic and Livy together they had a very sweet relationship. I found myself invested in this couple. I enjoyed the hell outta all the honey badger craziness in this book. The plot kept my attention. There was some more Eggie in this book. Yay!!! Love me some Eggie. Tons of humor in this book, some hot sex scene, and a very cute romance. Great read. I will definitely be reading more books by Shelly Laurenston! Below I leave a few of my favorite moments from this book:
“Hello, my hybrid brother!” Vic crowed. “Christ, Novikov,” Jake demanded. “How much vodka did you give him?” “I don’t know. A bottle. Or two.” He then picked Vic up in a fireman carry, and Livy rushed up the stairs to unlock the door. Novikov carried him to their room, dropping Vic onto the bed. “Can you make it back to the wild dog house?” Livy asked. “Of course,” Bo snapped. “I’m not weak like him. I’m strong. Cossack strong.” Then Novikov walked into a wall, stumbled back, and passed out on the floor by the bed.
“We will make the ones who did this to our brother pay and pay and pay until there is nothing left.” He finally released her from the hug, but he still kept one arm around her as he faced the rest of the family. “Now the world bleeds—” “Or,” Livy emphatically cut in, “we can just go after the ones who did this. Rather than taking it out on the entire world. That seems excessive.” “If you’re sure.”
“You get to work.” Vic put his hands behind his head. “And make it good, baby.” “Typical lazy feline . . . and bear,” she muttered as she placed her knees on either side of his hips. “Leaving it to the honey badger to do all the work.” “That’s because felines and bears are smarter than everybody.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
March 25, 2014
August 15, 2013
There is an excerpt up on Shelly Laurenson's website and IT IS AWESOME! Here is the link below. Enjoy. I definitely did :-)
Bite Me excerpt
OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!
IT'S LIVY!!! I LOVE LIVY!!! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THIS BOOK COMES OUT!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!!!
Edit 1
So I thought waiting until 2014 wouldn't be that bad, but I've been on this page every day, more than once a day, willing the publication date to change. It hasn't. So for a few days I was like this...
Then I was like this...
and now i'm like this...
It's official...Shelly Laurenston, you hold my happiness in your hands!!!!
There is an excerpt up on Shelly Laurenson's website and IT IS AWESOME! Here is the link below. Enjoy. I definitely did :-)
Bite Me excerpt
OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!
IT'S LIVY!!! I LOVE LIVY!!! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THIS BOOK COMES OUT!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!!!
Edit 1
So I thought waiting until 2014 wouldn't be that bad, but I've been on this page every day, more than once a day, willing the publication date to change. It hasn't. So for a few days I was like this...
Then I was like this...
and now i'm like this...
It's official...Shelly Laurenston, you hold my happiness in your hands!!!!
April 3, 2017
A smutty dare from my beloved GR friend, Edge of Bubble. So lovely, so deadly and so enjoying while torturing me with smut books :D Well, Bubbles, I finished it so I guess I’m safe at last :P
“Bite Me” is the ninth book in Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. This book can be read as an independent read, though I missed some vital information about the characters, but it didn’t spoil my reading a lot. So….A playdate with a honey badger shifter Livy and hybrid tiger-bear shifter Vic. The story involves action, lot’s of shapeshifters, adventures, mystery, a bit of smut (the story wasn’t over-flooded with it, but it made my eyes roll in some scenes) lot’s of pointless violence, crazy females, males who are quite sane, vengeance and “Why be modest when you already know you are amazing?”, a phrase which sarcastically summarizes the main theme of this book. The story concentrates upon Livy, her life and her family. That leads to another weird part of this story. I’ve read a couple books about shapeshifters and “Bite Me” was my first about Honey Badgers. At first I just laughed at the thought of it :D Honey Badgers are known for their dangerous fight skills and their ability to protect the ones that they love. That’s a great set and it triggered my attention for sure. Of course I liked action scenes, family protection theme, humor and Russian Mafia (the names, POV’s characters were interestingly written, I could hear these characters speaking with Russian accent!).
These are the factors which really helped me to continue with the book and help the story a lot.
A funny treat from “Bite Me” :) Enjoy ;)
“Pick her up?”
“Pick her up.”
Sighing, Shen reached out and lifted Melly onto his shoulder. She seemed to barely weigh anything, and it was terribly easy.
But then Jake said, “If she starts squirming, drop her. She’s about to piss on you.”
“And if she grunts,” Jocelyn added, “throw her. She’s about to shit or projectile vomit.
”Horrified, Shen practically ran to the room they’d set up for Melly.
“Oh yeah. She’s outlived eight husbands, too.” Livy glanced at Vic. “Some of them even died naturally.”
What I didn’t like, was smut of course and lots of pointless violence which could have been avoided. I was terrified by almost all the women in “Bite Me”. Almost all of them are cruel, violent, smutty ego maniacs. Violence to show who’s better, violence to express slight anger/inconvenience, violence without a reason and it’s presented like it’s normal(.). To my astonishment, most male shapeshifters were calmer and definitely more reasonable.
Vic and Livy, their relationship is peculiar. Mutual love for honey and their different characters are entertaining. I didn’t feel the connection with the characters, but still some were likable. Like Vic, Russian Mafia or the crazy old lady, who did a great show in the sauna :)
To sum up, this is not the worst smut I ever read (you still remember the Lord Idiot :D). I quite liked the story.
“Bite Me” is the ninth book in Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. This book can be read as an independent read, though I missed some vital information about the characters, but it didn’t spoil my reading a lot. So….A playdate with a honey badger shifter Livy and hybrid tiger-bear shifter Vic. The story involves action, lot’s of shapeshifters, adventures, mystery, a bit of smut (the story wasn’t over-flooded with it, but it made my eyes roll in some scenes) lot’s of pointless violence, crazy females, males who are quite sane, vengeance and “Why be modest when you already know you are amazing?”, a phrase which sarcastically summarizes the main theme of this book. The story concentrates upon Livy, her life and her family. That leads to another weird part of this story. I’ve read a couple books about shapeshifters and “Bite Me” was my first about Honey Badgers. At first I just laughed at the thought of it :D Honey Badgers are known for their dangerous fight skills and their ability to protect the ones that they love. That’s a great set and it triggered my attention for sure. Of course I liked action scenes, family protection theme, humor and Russian Mafia (the names, POV’s characters were interestingly written, I could hear these characters speaking with Russian accent!).
These are the factors which really helped me to continue with the book and help the story a lot.
A funny treat from “Bite Me” :) Enjoy ;)
“Pick her up?”
“Pick her up.”
Sighing, Shen reached out and lifted Melly onto his shoulder. She seemed to barely weigh anything, and it was terribly easy.
But then Jake said, “If she starts squirming, drop her. She’s about to piss on you.”
“And if she grunts,” Jocelyn added, “throw her. She’s about to shit or projectile vomit.
”Horrified, Shen practically ran to the room they’d set up for Melly.
“Oh yeah. She’s outlived eight husbands, too.” Livy glanced at Vic. “Some of them even died naturally.”
What I didn’t like, was smut of course and lots of pointless violence which could have been avoided. I was terrified by almost all the women in “Bite Me”. Almost all of them are cruel, violent, smutty ego maniacs. Violence to show who’s better, violence to express slight anger/inconvenience, violence without a reason and it’s presented like it’s normal(.). To my astonishment, most male shapeshifters were calmer and definitely more reasonable.
Vic and Livy, their relationship is peculiar. Mutual love for honey and their different characters are entertaining. I didn’t feel the connection with the characters, but still some were likable. Like Vic, Russian Mafia or the crazy old lady, who did a great show in the sauna :)
To sum up, this is not the worst smut I ever read (you still remember the Lord Idiot :D). I quite liked the story.
April 9, 2022
When it comes to Laurenston's shifter books I generally love them and that feeling hasn't changed with my re-read of Bite Me.
This book has the perfect blend of humour, snark, romance and action. What I love about these books is that they always make me laugh (to varying degrees) no matter how many times I re-read them.
After being introduced to Livy in Wolf with Benefits I was so hoping for her own book and this did not disappoint, and the fun of the book doesn't diminish when re-re-re-reading.
Honey Badger Livy rocks - quirky, witty and intolerant of any bullshit she is seriously awesome. And honey loving, hybrid shifter Vic is oddly a perfect fit for her. They do work as a couple. Although one small niggle I wish the connection between Livy and Vic was developed a tad more, the couples from other books felt like they had a somewhat stronger connection.
Again as in other books, there is a good collection of secondary characters here, who add to the story - they don't feel like they've been created to simply fill pages. Some of Livy's cousins seem fab others delightfully horrific.
For some the violence in the book might be a tad too much, but I think it works within the context of this particular story.
This can be read as a standalone......but once you read one it's likely you'll grab another.
This book has the perfect blend of humour, snark, romance and action. What I love about these books is that they always make me laugh (to varying degrees) no matter how many times I re-read them.
After being introduced to Livy in Wolf with Benefits I was so hoping for her own book and this did not disappoint, and the fun of the book doesn't diminish when re-re-re-reading.
Honey Badger Livy rocks - quirky, witty and intolerant of any bullshit she is seriously awesome. And honey loving, hybrid shifter Vic is oddly a perfect fit for her. They do work as a couple. Although one small niggle I wish the connection between Livy and Vic was developed a tad more, the couples from other books felt like they had a somewhat stronger connection.
Again as in other books, there is a good collection of secondary characters here, who add to the story - they don't feel like they've been created to simply fill pages. Some of Livy's cousins seem fab others delightfully horrific.
For some the violence in the book might be a tad too much, but I think it works within the context of this particular story.
This can be read as a standalone......but once you read one it's likely you'll grab another.
August 9, 2014
***ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Another book for my favorites self from Shelly Laurenston. I'm seriously starting to believe that I would even love this woman's shopping list. I don't like all her books equally but I love them all to pieces. I'm not much of an ARCs fanatic(like some people I won't be naming *looks pointedly at most of her friend list*) but I was seriously squealing in glee over getting this a month early.
In this book we have Olivia, Livy, Kowalski, a honey badger and a seriously kickass photographer...
She looks non-threatening doesn't she?? Think again. Honey badgers are notorious for their vicious string and felony ways. Still, Livy isn't a regural HB. She is an artist who got over the "stealing your way though life" phase when she was a teenager and decided that her photography was her future and the "family bussiness" which consisted mostly of stealing and coning. That doesn't stop her from going all HB on her enemies asses when she finds her dad brutally murdered.
I loved Livy. She was an outcast in her family and pretty proud of being one. True to Laurenston's style, she was a very strong minded female lead and cranky as hell. Maybe not all of her females are cranky but they are all definitely mule-headed. I actually love every heroine in this author's books. They know how to fight their own battles, how to be mean and vicious when they to be and how to get over themselves when they have to. Livy is no exception. She makes her own way through life but isn't stupid enough to go half-cocked into bad situations without asking anyone's help. I enjoy my books way more when heroines can keep a balance.
Then we have Victor, Vic, Barinov, a tiger-grizzly hybrid with a dexterous tail that has a mind of its own...
Vic is a tiger-grizzly hybrid which makes him seriously strong and kind of bipolar without him even trying. He is weird since his grizzly side is mellow and logical(if anyone doesn't startle him or sent him in panic mode) and his tiger side is all hissy and cranky. Luckily his tiger side doesn't come out to play a lot and that's how he wants it.
You know I didn't get exactly what wit was that Vic did for a living. It mostly seemed like mercenary jobs here and there after serving in the military and CIA for some years. Vic wasn't in favorite male leads in the series. It's not that there was anything bad about him, it's just that I found him less interesting than most. Of course there was this tail of his that had a mind of its own. I found myself fantasizing of kinky sex scenes involving said tail many times.
The story was a definite page turner. It had much action and the romance was kind of secondary to the main story which worked pretty nicely. I wouldn't have minded a little bit more of the romantic side since Livy and Vic worked very good as a couple but I was okay with what I got. I loved seeing the way the Kowalskis dealed with the "wrong" done to one of their own.
What I love most in SL's characters is how she can create such crazy people and make them seem adorable and lovable. I love seeing how some shifters work on instict alone and how others base everything in logic, how some are emotional while others are stone-cold predators. The characters in every book are fascinating because they are kind of unique. They are a huge band of lunatics who work well together. This is actually true for her Fantasy series Dragon Kin as well. Maybe she has a thing for people who should occupy either an asylum or jail?? I know I want to hug them all.
Honey badgers are my new favorite shifter group. They are crazy, party loving and thieving but they have a weird set of morals and a very specific honor code. They also have family loyalty which works for me. Combined with Toni's prodigy siblings and my all time favorites Blainey and Bo they made the perfect group of secondary characters.
I really look forward to the next book but I guess I'll have to wait for quite some time.
***************11/04/2014***************
You would think that re-reading a book so close to the first time would be boring but surprisingly that wasn't the case. I was a bit stunned to realise that I remembered almost nothing of the book (although I really don't know why this surprised me since I have a very bad memory). The book was definitely worth its rating though. <3
Another book for my favorites self from Shelly Laurenston. I'm seriously starting to believe that I would even love this woman's shopping list. I don't like all her books equally but I love them all to pieces. I'm not much of an ARCs fanatic(like some people I won't be naming *looks pointedly at most of her friend list*) but I was seriously squealing in glee over getting this a month early.
In this book we have Olivia, Livy, Kowalski, a honey badger and a seriously kickass photographer...
She looks non-threatening doesn't she?? Think again. Honey badgers are notorious for their vicious string and felony ways. Still, Livy isn't a regural HB. She is an artist who got over the "stealing your way though life" phase when she was a teenager and decided that her photography was her future and the "family bussiness" which consisted mostly of stealing and coning. That doesn't stop her from going all HB on her enemies asses when she finds her dad brutally murdered.
I loved Livy. She was an outcast in her family and pretty proud of being one. True to Laurenston's style, she was a very strong minded female lead and cranky as hell. Maybe not all of her females are cranky but they are all definitely mule-headed. I actually love every heroine in this author's books. They know how to fight their own battles, how to be mean and vicious when they to be and how to get over themselves when they have to. Livy is no exception. She makes her own way through life but isn't stupid enough to go half-cocked into bad situations without asking anyone's help. I enjoy my books way more when heroines can keep a balance.
Then we have Victor, Vic, Barinov, a tiger-grizzly hybrid with a dexterous tail that has a mind of its own...
Vic is a tiger-grizzly hybrid which makes him seriously strong and kind of bipolar without him even trying. He is weird since his grizzly side is mellow and logical(if anyone doesn't startle him or sent him in panic mode) and his tiger side is all hissy and cranky. Luckily his tiger side doesn't come out to play a lot and that's how he wants it.
You know I didn't get exactly what wit was that Vic did for a living. It mostly seemed like mercenary jobs here and there after serving in the military and CIA for some years. Vic wasn't in favorite male leads in the series. It's not that there was anything bad about him, it's just that I found him less interesting than most. Of course there was this tail of his that had a mind of its own. I found myself fantasizing of kinky sex scenes involving said tail many times.
The story was a definite page turner. It had much action and the romance was kind of secondary to the main story which worked pretty nicely. I wouldn't have minded a little bit more of the romantic side since Livy and Vic worked very good as a couple but I was okay with what I got. I loved seeing the way the Kowalskis dealed with the "wrong" done to one of their own.
What I love most in SL's characters is how she can create such crazy people and make them seem adorable and lovable. I love seeing how some shifters work on instict alone and how others base everything in logic, how some are emotional while others are stone-cold predators. The characters in every book are fascinating because they are kind of unique. They are a huge band of lunatics who work well together. This is actually true for her Fantasy series Dragon Kin as well. Maybe she has a thing for people who should occupy either an asylum or jail?? I know I want to hug them all.
Honey badgers are my new favorite shifter group. They are crazy, party loving and thieving but they have a weird set of morals and a very specific honor code. They also have family loyalty which works for me. Combined with Toni's prodigy siblings and my all time favorites Blainey and Bo they made the perfect group of secondary characters.
I really look forward to the next book but I guess I'll have to wait for quite some time.
***************11/04/2014***************
You would think that re-reading a book so close to the first time would be boring but surprisingly that wasn't the case. I was a bit stunned to realise that I remembered almost nothing of the book (although I really don't know why this surprised me since I have a very bad memory). The book was definitely worth its rating though. <3
May 6, 2023
Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston is the 9th book in her Pride series. I have enjoyed the previous books in the series but this one completely failed to hold my attention. It was a struggle for me to finish. I just wasn’t interested or entertained. I think the main issue is that it suffers from multiple personalities.
The story jumps around characters frequently throughout the entire book. The story is told from the point of view of over 25 characters, I kid you not. This is supposed to be Livy and Vic’s book but it felt more like a story for the entire cast of characters. There was so much dialog and jumping around that it didn’t feel like much progression was made and when something interesting did happen it was glossed over and sped along to a different view point... Many of the characters annoyed me and much of what happened or was said bored me.
I can’t say that I liked the book but I didn’t hate it either. I ended up giving it 2 stars because there were a couple nice moments. I enjoyed the part that takes place at Vic’s house and the part when he and Livy are in Honeyville. Sadly, that’s about it. I liked Vic and Livy together and would have liked to have had more page time with them. This just wasn’t a book that I could enjoy but other readers may like it.
*ARC (Advanced Review Copy) received from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
The story jumps around characters frequently throughout the entire book. The story is told from the point of view of over 25 characters, I kid you not. This is supposed to be Livy and Vic’s book but it felt more like a story for the entire cast of characters. There was so much dialog and jumping around that it didn’t feel like much progression was made and when something interesting did happen it was glossed over and sped along to a different view point... Many of the characters annoyed me and much of what happened or was said bored me.
I can’t say that I liked the book but I didn’t hate it either. I ended up giving it 2 stars because there were a couple nice moments. I enjoyed the part that takes place at Vic’s house and the part when he and Livy are in Honeyville. Sadly, that’s about it. I liked Vic and Livy together and would have liked to have had more page time with them. This just wasn’t a book that I could enjoy but other readers may like it.
*ARC (Advanced Review Copy) received from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
June 8, 2017
How can this book be the end?????
I love the Pride Series by Shelly Laurenston. Especially the books about bear shifters. I loved, loved Crush and anytime Bo is mentioned my ears perked up.
Shelly did a fabulous job of bringing everything together, characters, plot lines, and big get-togethers. It felt like a big family good-bye party, revisiting old favorites, couples and packs.
Reading this book and knowing that there might not be another one was heartbreaking. Her shifters are the riot, they make me laugh out loud and her dialogs are some of the funniest I've ever read.
Until she decides to continue this series I'll revisit my bears and hope for more to come. I miss this series so much!! I just can't connect with her latest series Call of Crows - I tried multiple times, but it's just not the same - I'm mourning.
I love the Pride Series by Shelly Laurenston. Especially the books about bear shifters. I loved, loved Crush and anytime Bo is mentioned my ears perked up.
Shelly did a fabulous job of bringing everything together, characters, plot lines, and big get-togethers. It felt like a big family good-bye party, revisiting old favorites, couples and packs.
Reading this book and knowing that there might not be another one was heartbreaking. Her shifters are the riot, they make me laugh out loud and her dialogs are some of the funniest I've ever read.
Until she decides to continue this series I'll revisit my bears and hope for more to come. I miss this series so much!! I just can't connect with her latest series Call of Crows - I tried multiple times, but it's just not the same - I'm mourning.
March 3, 2014
What happens when you put a mean honey badger and a hybrid feline/grizzly shifter together? In Shelly Laurenston's latest instalment to the Pride series, Livy Kowalski and Victor Barinov are paired together in what has to be the most entertaining story yet!
As a mean honey badger who doesn't need anyone to lean on, Livy is used to being on her own. However, when her father dies, Livy doesn't want the emotions to affect her. She treads on as honey badgers do and this is where Vic comes in. The soft-hearted but sexy hybrid shifter brings to Livy what others men don't. It's the perfect pairing and with Laurenston's over the top, trademark humor, BITE ME becomes a story that will have you clutching your sides and laughing until the very end!
Readers can expect the same outrageous situations and reactions from both new characters and familiar ones. What I love about this series is the euphoric feeling one gets whenever you read a Laurenston book. Each instalment exudes feel-good pheromones until you are high on Laurenton's humor and stories. I've come to look forward to each new book by this author because of the guaranteed fun I will have reading it.
Thanks to Laurenton's excellent writing and humor, this story is reminiscent of a reality show, displaying characters at their most entertaining moments and is just as addicting! BITE ME is a perfect example of why Laurenston's romances are so worthwhile.
Reviewed for Fresh Fiction
As a mean honey badger who doesn't need anyone to lean on, Livy is used to being on her own. However, when her father dies, Livy doesn't want the emotions to affect her. She treads on as honey badgers do and this is where Vic comes in. The soft-hearted but sexy hybrid shifter brings to Livy what others men don't. It's the perfect pairing and with Laurenston's over the top, trademark humor, BITE ME becomes a story that will have you clutching your sides and laughing until the very end!
Readers can expect the same outrageous situations and reactions from both new characters and familiar ones. What I love about this series is the euphoric feeling one gets whenever you read a Laurenston book. Each instalment exudes feel-good pheromones until you are high on Laurenton's humor and stories. I've come to look forward to each new book by this author because of the guaranteed fun I will have reading it.
Thanks to Laurenton's excellent writing and humor, this story is reminiscent of a reality show, displaying characters at their most entertaining moments and is just as addicting! BITE ME is a perfect example of why Laurenston's romances are so worthwhile.
Reviewed for Fresh Fiction
July 14, 2020
~ 5 Bite Me Stars ~
I love Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. We get the same outrageous situations and reactions from both new and familiar characters. I love how Ms. Laurenston can make me laugh my ass off on almost every page as well as make me feel-good. She has a knack for making great characters just keep giving. I have come to look forward to each new book; because of the feel good feeling I’ll get, all the funny hilarious situations and the characters.
Livy is a character that has a dry sense of humor, many don’t get her and even more people fear the little honey badger.
Vic is a ginormous hybrid shifter that most fear him on site and those that don’t see him as an athlete of some nature. Which he hates being compared too.
All the characters in this series have their own unique quirk, craziness, or just simple trait that makes them fun. The lighthearted humor and snark keeps the pages turning. Someone ends up pisses off the honey badger’s and has know idea of what they have brought to their door. Lives are in danger. Venom spiked vodka is to be had. Much happens in this wild and crazy book that you must read it for yourself.
If you love humor and snark in your shifter romance then this one is up your alley. If you are a fan it’s a must read. If you have never picked up Ms. Laurenston’s Pride series then do so. You will have the time of your life.
Audio Aug. 2018: Well, I had fun again. The audio was great. It was a lot of fun visiting these characters again and the world. I felt like it was the first time reading. I love the Pride series, so it was great to listen and feel so much more for the story. I laughed out loud and cried for those that lost someone, even if they weren't close, their were emotions that came across. If you enjoy quirky, snarky, and over the top characters then you will probably enjoy this series. It's light-heart, easy to read or listen, and just has a lot of fun over the top moments that keep you entertained.
Sept. 2019 Loved it! Laughed a lot.
I love Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. We get the same outrageous situations and reactions from both new and familiar characters. I love how Ms. Laurenston can make me laugh my ass off on almost every page as well as make me feel-good. She has a knack for making great characters just keep giving. I have come to look forward to each new book; because of the feel good feeling I’ll get, all the funny hilarious situations and the characters.
Livy is a character that has a dry sense of humor, many don’t get her and even more people fear the little honey badger.
Vic is a ginormous hybrid shifter that most fear him on site and those that don’t see him as an athlete of some nature. Which he hates being compared too.
All the characters in this series have their own unique quirk, craziness, or just simple trait that makes them fun. The lighthearted humor and snark keeps the pages turning. Someone ends up pisses off the honey badger’s and has know idea of what they have brought to their door. Lives are in danger. Venom spiked vodka is to be had. Much happens in this wild and crazy book that you must read it for yourself.
If you love humor and snark in your shifter romance then this one is up your alley. If you are a fan it’s a must read. If you have never picked up Ms. Laurenston’s Pride series then do so. You will have the time of your life.
Audio Aug. 2018: Well, I had fun again. The audio was great. It was a lot of fun visiting these characters again and the world. I felt like it was the first time reading. I love the Pride series, so it was great to listen and feel so much more for the story. I laughed out loud and cried for those that lost someone, even if they weren't close, their were emotions that came across. If you enjoy quirky, snarky, and over the top characters then you will probably enjoy this series. It's light-heart, easy to read or listen, and just has a lot of fun over the top moments that keep you entertained.
Sept. 2019 Loved it! Laughed a lot.
January 4, 2015
These books are absolutely hilarious! I loved Vic and Livy. And I can't wait for more books from this series.
March 12, 2018
OMG.
I LOVED this book. Seriously laughing out loud. Livy is the best.
Don't forget: Honey Badger don't give a shit!
https://youtu.be/-GgBU90I4mM
What makes me sad is this series ends after Bite Me. There were a couple of set ups I saw happening that I want to read: Hannah: Hannah now has twin foxes (Polar bears have foxes...) whom she can't shake + Abby's still hanging around. I want to know more about Hannah. Jai looked to want to kill a male lion dr. she knows - that might have been fun, too.
Also, looks like Laurenston is bringing back the Honey Badgers (yaaaay!) Hot and Badgered.
But, she's making them hybrids (booooo!). I hate it when authors change things - Bart says that "you mate with badger, you only get badger." Why? He doesn't know but suggests honey badger cells are too mean to let the other cells live. I love this, ok? Why throw this away??
I LOVED this book. Seriously laughing out loud. Livy is the best.
Don't forget: Honey Badger don't give a shit!
https://youtu.be/-GgBU90I4mM
What makes me sad is this series ends after Bite Me. There were a couple of set ups I saw happening that I want to read: Hannah: Hannah now has twin foxes (Polar bears have foxes...) whom she can't shake + Abby's still hanging around. I want to know more about Hannah. Jai looked to want to kill a male lion dr. she knows - that might have been fun, too.
Also, looks like Laurenston is bringing back the Honey Badgers (yaaaay!) Hot and Badgered.
But, she's making them hybrids (booooo!). I hate it when authors change things - Bart says that "you mate with badger, you only get badger." Why? He doesn't know but suggests honey badger cells are too mean to let the other cells live. I love this, ok? Why throw this away??
March 29, 2016
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
ME WHILE READING THIS BOOK:
Why did it take me so long to pick this book up from my shelf- I'll never understand. Maybe because I wasn't this much blown away by the previous installment, but this one was way, way better.
Honey badgers, the race of con shifters, are one fierce and bad-ass force to be reckoned in the shifter world of the Pride series. And probably the meanest. *Added to my favorite shifter group* Pair them up with grizzly-tiger hybrids they are pretty much unstoppable. Livy Kowalski, a honey badger and professional photographer, & Vic Barinov, the sexy hybrid detective, were fun, cute and pretty awkward, but totally in endearing way unlike the previous book couple. The focus of the story was on their slow-building, but steamy romance and the action-packed, supenseful honey badgers' revenge quest against the murders of Lily's father. As always what you can expect of Laurenston's Pride series is a lot of humor and snark, plus many of our dear Pride characters make cameo apperance.
4 super-fun stars! Definitely one of the best book in the series. Highly recommended to every paranormal romance/ urban fantasy fan who wants a fun and steamy pnr romance/uf series set in the modern world!
ME WHILE READING THIS BOOK:
“I’m a honey badger. I’m fearless.”
Why did it take me so long to pick this book up from my shelf- I'll never understand. Maybe because I wasn't this much blown away by the previous installment, but this one was way, way better.
Honey badgers, the race of con shifters, are one fierce and bad-ass force to be reckoned in the shifter world of the Pride series. And probably the meanest. *Added to my favorite shifter group* Pair them up with grizzly-tiger hybrids they are pretty much unstoppable. Livy Kowalski, a honey badger and professional photographer, & Vic Barinov, the sexy hybrid detective, were fun, cute and pretty awkward, but totally in endearing way unlike the previous book couple. The focus of the story was on their slow-building, but steamy romance and the action-packed, supenseful honey badgers' revenge quest against the murders of Lily's father. As always what you can expect of Laurenston's Pride series is a lot of humor and snark, plus many of our dear Pride characters make cameo apperance.
4 super-fun stars! Definitely one of the best book in the series. Highly recommended to every paranormal romance/ urban fantasy fan who wants a fun and steamy pnr romance/uf series set in the modern world!
March 9, 2014
I am a massive Shelly Laurenston fan, apart from a few books, I must have read pretty much everything she has written. Something about the sarcasm, humour and casual violence that laces her books hits my sweet spot. But, the last few I have read in her Pride series...they just aren't doing it for me like they used to, I feel this series is getting tired and a little worn out.
The romance in Bite Me was fairly lukewarm and although I liked both Livy and Vic, they are going to end up just another PNR couple that I enjoyed reading at the time, but will soon be relegated to the ranks of other PNR couples I have read, to be lost in the crowd.
Everything I have written so far though may give you the wrong impression, this book is in no way awful, I had fun reading it, it still had Laurenston's trademark humour and the story kept my full occupied, I think I was just hoping for more.
The romance in Bite Me was fairly lukewarm and although I liked both Livy and Vic, they are going to end up just another PNR couple that I enjoyed reading at the time, but will soon be relegated to the ranks of other PNR couples I have read, to be lost in the crowd.
Everything I have written so far though may give you the wrong impression, this book is in no way awful, I had fun reading it, it still had Laurenston's trademark humour and the story kept my full occupied, I think I was just hoping for more.
February 10, 2014
I have to admit I am a horrible Pride fan. I’ve only read two books in the series, the two most recent ones. I loved every single page of both of them. This series has an unexpected mix of humor and snark. All of the characters have their own unique quirk, dysfunction, craziness, or just simple trait that makes them a hilarious read.
Livy is one of those characters that have a dry sense of humor. Many people don’t get her and even more people fear the tiny little honey badger. Vic is a ginormous tiger-bear shifter that most fear his size on first seeing him. Those that don’t fear Vic believe him to be an athlete star of some nature which then gives them a reason to fear him. Vic hates to be mistaken as an athlete.
Someone who doesn’t understand the nature of the honey badger has pissed Livy off and she does the only thing that really can be done in this delicate situation… she calls in all of her family. With lives in danger and venom spiked vodka to be imbibed it really does make complete sense. Vic is there for the entire crazy ride to make sure his favorite honey thief remains safe and preferably close to him.
True fans of the series will be pleased to see many of the previous books characters are present to add their distinctive brand of crazy. Now go and grab your very own copy of this giggle inducing hilarity of a book!
Favorite quote, Livy to Vic: “I’m a honey badger. I’m fearless.”
Livy is one of those characters that have a dry sense of humor. Many people don’t get her and even more people fear the tiny little honey badger. Vic is a ginormous tiger-bear shifter that most fear his size on first seeing him. Those that don’t fear Vic believe him to be an athlete star of some nature which then gives them a reason to fear him. Vic hates to be mistaken as an athlete.
Someone who doesn’t understand the nature of the honey badger has pissed Livy off and she does the only thing that really can be done in this delicate situation… she calls in all of her family. With lives in danger and venom spiked vodka to be imbibed it really does make complete sense. Vic is there for the entire crazy ride to make sure his favorite honey thief remains safe and preferably close to him.
True fans of the series will be pleased to see many of the previous books characters are present to add their distinctive brand of crazy. Now go and grab your very own copy of this giggle inducing hilarity of a book!
Favorite quote, Livy to Vic: “I’m a honey badger. I’m fearless.”
January 8, 2023
"Badgers will go from one extreme opinion to another, whether they believe in it or not, as long as it gets that ugly fight rolling in."
"I always thought of foxes as the troublemakers."
Livy snorted. "Foxes are lightweights. Cute little con artists and gold diggers. But honey badgers…we've been changing history since before a Roman honey badger told Julius Caesar that he doubted Pompey would have a problem with him crossing the Rubicon. And, of course, everyone knows about Rasputin-although he was kind of tall for one of us. But I think his mother was full-human."
Vic had been about to put the last bit of egg roll in his mouth but he stopped and stared at Livy.
"And the rumor still holds that the Hundred Years' War was started by badgers," she went on. "And who can forget that the Borgias were all honey badgers?" Livy nodded. "Yep. My kind can start a knife fight at a sit-in peace rally using nothing more than overly expressive eyebrows. I'd call it a curse if we didn't really, really enjoy starting shit for shit's sake."
2nd re-read 2019 Oh, Livy and Vic, again how could I ever forget how much I love you? The honey badgers in this book are hilarious and Vic's family is also pretty funny. Of course I loved that almost all the other characters made an appearance, if brief in some cases. And if you haven't noticed already, I do so love a running joke and this book has several. I will say this book spends a lot of time cleaning up the overall series story arc, but since Livy's situation is so intertwined with it, her story doesn't suffer. I liked how Livy and Vic's relationship progressed, it worked for them, and they make a surprisingly odd yet well-matched couple. I am rather depressed that this is still the last book of the series. And yes, I know there's the Honey Badger Chronicles which is set in the Pride world, and there is probably some crossover, in fact I thinks Shen gets his own book, but that's not the point. The point is…well, that I want more. I did snoop around on Shelly Laurenston's website last night, and found and old post that said she needed to take a break from Pride but hoped to come back. And dear god, I hope she comes back. I would love to see a book with Jess's son Johnny and Kristen, the other Reed boys, Cooper…anyone really. Actually, since I'm on the topic, I'm pretty sure Angelina, from the Magnus Pack, her mate had single brothers… I just don't want it to end, but I'm sure I'll be back to read them all again in another year or so.
Oh and way too many scenes below…I had a hard time choosing…and ya know, spoilers…fair warning.
"This is Livy. Honey badger."
The deputy's grin was wide. "A honey badger? A real one?" he asked with what sounded like true enthusiasm. "Hey, guys," he said to the other deputies, "we've got a real honey badger here!"
The deputies suddenly crowded around the SUV, all of them staring into the vehicle to get a look at Livy. As if she'd suddenly turned into a carnival sideshow.
"She is just the cutest little thing," the first deputy said. Then he reached the longest arm Livy had ever seen on a human being across the cab and attempted to "coochie-coo" her face.
Livy leaned away from those giant sausage fingers and hissed, flashing her fangs as extra warning. A warning that made the bear giggle. He giggled. Like an eight-year-old. "She is just the cutest thing! I just wanna hug her! Hug her! Hug her! Hug her!"
~
"Hey, Vic-"
"Hey." He was busy smoothing out the sheets, so he didn't turn around immediately. "I was going to put us in the master bedroom, but Kyle already had it and he's already turned in into some kind of terrifying art studio. Just FYI, that kid has bones in there. I didn't look too closely, so I don't know if they're human or not, but you may want to have Cooper look into that. Anyway, I grabbed this room since it had a king and a bathroom attached, but if there's another room you want us in, just let me know and"-Vic finally stood and turned-"I'll make sure to put…you in there all by yourself," he finished, spotting her uncles standing around Livy. "Because you sleep alone. Yes, you do. Alone is how you sleep."
Vic cleared his throat, nodded at her uncles. "Gentlemen."
"Vic, these are my uncles." She pointed at each one. "Baltazar, Kamil, Gustav, Edmund, Otto, and David. Uncles, this is Victor Barinov."
~
Vic closed his eyes. He'd lost her, hadn't he? Fangs and claws coming and going while human were typical among shifters. It was what they knew. What they were used to and comfortably accepted.
But a tail when human? No female wanted to put up with anything that weird. Especially a tail that sort of had a mind of its own.
"Okay." Vic opened his eyes to see Livy raising a finger. "One rule, Barinov: that thing goes in my ass…and I tear your balls right off. We understand each other?"
Shocked, Vic could only nod.
"Good." She grinned and added, "And can I just say…how cool is it that you have a prehensile tail? My tail is just this thing that does nothing but knock off flies and let other animals know when I'm about to go off. And it's only when I'm badger. But you…" She stopped, blinked. "Awwww, it's petting my back."
"It is?"
"Don't you know?"
"Well…"
"You do have control over that thing, don't you?"
"Absolutely." At least he could, with some effort. Because Vic would like to keep his balls intact. That was important to him.
"So," he asked, "you're really not freaked out about my tail?"
"Why would I be freaked out about something that's part of you? It's not like you were accidentally hit by gamma rays and suddenly grew one. That would be weird."
~
"I beat up Melly, got thrown in jail, and Vic took me to a bear-only town called Honeyville. Then I jousted."
"You have always wanted to try that."
"I was really good against the cats. The bears kicked my ass, though."
Toni sat down on the bed next to Livy. "Did Vic joust?"
"No. He would have been great, too, but he was too busy yelling at me about how dangerous and stupid it was for me to joust."
"He yelled at you because he's in love with you."
Livy lifted her feet, studied her bare toes. "Did you know Honeyville has over three hundred and seventy types of honey? I think I tried almost all of them."
"So you're going to pretend I didn't just say what I just said?"
"Pretty much."
"Avoidance is still your friend, I see."
"How else do you think I've managed to survive with this family?"
"You'll have to face it eventually," Toni singsonged to her.
"You're going to have to shut up," Livy singsonged back.
Toni put her arm around Livy, and placed her head on her friend's shoulder. "I'm so very glad you didn't manage to get yourself killed."
"That's the nicest way to blame the victim I've ever heard."
"I'm really good at that. So did Kyle ask Vic to pose naked?"
"Yes. But I can't blame the kid. The man has amazing cheekbones."
~
"Take this."
Vic opened the heavy briefcase, looked in, blinked, gazed at his father. "Seriously?"
"Take it. Use it. You cannot just sit around all day using your tail inappropriately with that She-badger-"
"Papa!"
"-and not do something to help yourselves out of this situation."
"What are you talking about?"
"Victor," his mother called out. "Victor, my dear. Come to Mama."
Vic closed the briefcase and walked around the car to his mother. He crouched down in front of her since he knew she wasn't about to stand.
"Take this," she said, touching the case. "Use it." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "Hide it from badgers. They are nothing but thieves."
"Mama."
"I do not mean your little Olivia. She has no distinct criminal record for at least a decade now. That is good. But her family." She rolled her eyes. "Good luck protecting your wallet."
Before Vic could ask his mother to stop-or simply repeat "Mama" with tone-she went on. "The thing you must remember is getting this Whitlan person is just part of what you need to do. If you want to protect your badger, you'll need to ensure Chumakov is made impotent."
Vic reared back from his mother. "That doesn't sound right. Are you sure you're using the word right?"
"Do not insult me, Victor Barinov. Ungrateful boy!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Be smart. Take care of this."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now kiss me so we can go."
"Where are you going?"
"To do what we can from our end."
"Which is what, exactly?"
"Why do you question me so?" his mother bellowed. "It is like you do not trust me!"
"I trust you! I trust you!"
Vic kissed his mother on both cheeks and stood while he was grabbed by his father in one of his all-encompassing hugs, then kissed twice on both cheeks.
"My brilliant, amazing son!" Vladik boomed. "Do not get yourself killed or my rarely seen rage will be unleashed on the entire world!"
"I know, Papa."
"Good. And you take good care of our little Olivia. Your mother may find her too tiny to be worthy of love-"
"When did I say that?"
"-but I like her. She is good for you and doesn't appear to find your awkward silences off-putting."
"Thanks, Papa."
~
Vic kissed her on the cheek. "I may avoid telling you things because I don't want you to snap, get your hands on a death ray, and start wiping out whole countries…but I would never lie to you."
"How do you know I'd get my hands on a death ray?"
"Kyle said he was designing one, because it needed to be aesthetically attractive, and was going to have Freddy and Troy build it."
"Then I can get my hands on a death ray…that's good to know."
"And that's what has me worried."
"Are you going into the City alone?"
"Bringing Shen."
"You'll be careful?"
"I will. You promise not to throw another locker at Blayne?"
"No."
"Livy, remember? Novikov and Lock saved your life. And Novikov loves Blayne."
"Why?
"Livy."
"I'll be nice." She tried to smile to show her sincerity, but Vic leaned away from her.
"Don't…" He shook her head. "Don't force it."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. It's that bad."
~
"Maybe that's how they love. We're different."
"I am tainted by their bloodline."
"You're not tainted. I'm not tainted by my parents."
"And how do you figure that?"
"I can't saunter into a room and make everyone in there want to have sex with me or kill me like my mother. But I can have a conversation in a tone of voice that doesn't travel through several states…unlike my father. And although you have a mean streak a mile wide just like your mother, you seem to only use it on Blayne. And like your father, you do seem to like a good fight, but you only seem to enjoy fighting Melly…and beehives. And to me that means we can love each other any way we want to. Even like normal people."
"You mean normal people who have a mouthful of fangs and a prehensile tail."
"You like my tail."
"I also like my mouthful of fangs…that doesn't make us normal'"
"Well," Vic asked, since he was at a complete loss, "do you want to go back inside?"
"No," she snapped, "I want to stay out here by this stupid giant tree and fuck." Livy threw her hands up. "See? Pathetic."
"You're a very hard woman to understand sometimes."
"Don't bullshit me," she accused. "You understand me better than anybody."
"And that irritates the hell out of you, doesn't it?"
"Yes! Because I'll rely on you now. You'll always mean something to me. You'll be important in my life. My art is the only thing that should be important. Love is just this fucking distraction. It destroys good art."
"Only if you let it, which you won't because you are selfish enough not to."
Livy nodded. "That's good point. And you travel a lot, so I won't come home every day to find you sitting on the couch, waiting for me to be there, so you can annoy me with your attention and affection."
"God forbid."
"Yeah," Livy said, not quite getting the sarcasm.
"But, hey, you never know. We could still get killed. We're not finished yet."
"But we both know that's bullshit. I'm a honey badger. And you're just…freaky."
"Thank you."
She sighed as if she'd realized the worst thing imaginable. "We're going to be together and in love forever, aren't we?"
"Probably."
"That's so fucking typical of my life," she spat out. "I can never get a break."
"I'm sorry."
"No, you're not."
"No. I'm not." Vic leaned down and pressed his forehead against Livy's. "Can you say it again?"
"I don't want to. No. That's not true. I do want to, but I shouldn't want to."
"Say it anyway. For me."
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"See? Why do you have to be so mean?"
Laughing, Vic hugged Livy tight. "Sorry. That must be the feline mean streak I got from my mother."
"I always thought of foxes as the troublemakers."
Livy snorted. "Foxes are lightweights. Cute little con artists and gold diggers. But honey badgers…we've been changing history since before a Roman honey badger told Julius Caesar that he doubted Pompey would have a problem with him crossing the Rubicon. And, of course, everyone knows about Rasputin-although he was kind of tall for one of us. But I think his mother was full-human."
Vic had been about to put the last bit of egg roll in his mouth but he stopped and stared at Livy.
"And the rumor still holds that the Hundred Years' War was started by badgers," she went on. "And who can forget that the Borgias were all honey badgers?" Livy nodded. "Yep. My kind can start a knife fight at a sit-in peace rally using nothing more than overly expressive eyebrows. I'd call it a curse if we didn't really, really enjoy starting shit for shit's sake."
2nd re-read 2019 Oh, Livy and Vic, again how could I ever forget how much I love you? The honey badgers in this book are hilarious and Vic's family is also pretty funny. Of course I loved that almost all the other characters made an appearance, if brief in some cases. And if you haven't noticed already, I do so love a running joke and this book has several. I will say this book spends a lot of time cleaning up the overall series story arc, but since Livy's situation is so intertwined with it, her story doesn't suffer. I liked how Livy and Vic's relationship progressed, it worked for them, and they make a surprisingly odd yet well-matched couple. I am rather depressed that this is still the last book of the series. And yes, I know there's the Honey Badger Chronicles which is set in the Pride world, and there is probably some crossover, in fact I thinks Shen gets his own book, but that's not the point. The point is…well, that I want more. I did snoop around on Shelly Laurenston's website last night, and found and old post that said she needed to take a break from Pride but hoped to come back. And dear god, I hope she comes back. I would love to see a book with Jess's son Johnny and Kristen, the other Reed boys, Cooper…anyone really. Actually, since I'm on the topic, I'm pretty sure Angelina, from the Magnus Pack, her mate had single brothers… I just don't want it to end, but I'm sure I'll be back to read them all again in another year or so.
Oh and way too many scenes below…I had a hard time choosing…and ya know, spoilers…fair warning.
"This is Livy. Honey badger."
The deputy's grin was wide. "A honey badger? A real one?" he asked with what sounded like true enthusiasm. "Hey, guys," he said to the other deputies, "we've got a real honey badger here!"
The deputies suddenly crowded around the SUV, all of them staring into the vehicle to get a look at Livy. As if she'd suddenly turned into a carnival sideshow.
"She is just the cutest little thing," the first deputy said. Then he reached the longest arm Livy had ever seen on a human being across the cab and attempted to "coochie-coo" her face.
Livy leaned away from those giant sausage fingers and hissed, flashing her fangs as extra warning. A warning that made the bear giggle. He giggled. Like an eight-year-old. "She is just the cutest thing! I just wanna hug her! Hug her! Hug her! Hug her!"
~
"Hey, Vic-"
"Hey." He was busy smoothing out the sheets, so he didn't turn around immediately. "I was going to put us in the master bedroom, but Kyle already had it and he's already turned in into some kind of terrifying art studio. Just FYI, that kid has bones in there. I didn't look too closely, so I don't know if they're human or not, but you may want to have Cooper look into that. Anyway, I grabbed this room since it had a king and a bathroom attached, but if there's another room you want us in, just let me know and"-Vic finally stood and turned-"I'll make sure to put…you in there all by yourself," he finished, spotting her uncles standing around Livy. "Because you sleep alone. Yes, you do. Alone is how you sleep."
Vic cleared his throat, nodded at her uncles. "Gentlemen."
"Vic, these are my uncles." She pointed at each one. "Baltazar, Kamil, Gustav, Edmund, Otto, and David. Uncles, this is Victor Barinov."
~
Vic closed his eyes. He'd lost her, hadn't he? Fangs and claws coming and going while human were typical among shifters. It was what they knew. What they were used to and comfortably accepted.
But a tail when human? No female wanted to put up with anything that weird. Especially a tail that sort of had a mind of its own.
"Okay." Vic opened his eyes to see Livy raising a finger. "One rule, Barinov: that thing goes in my ass…and I tear your balls right off. We understand each other?"
Shocked, Vic could only nod.
"Good." She grinned and added, "And can I just say…how cool is it that you have a prehensile tail? My tail is just this thing that does nothing but knock off flies and let other animals know when I'm about to go off. And it's only when I'm badger. But you…" She stopped, blinked. "Awwww, it's petting my back."
"It is?"
"Don't you know?"
"Well…"
"You do have control over that thing, don't you?"
"Absolutely." At least he could, with some effort. Because Vic would like to keep his balls intact. That was important to him.
"So," he asked, "you're really not freaked out about my tail?"
"Why would I be freaked out about something that's part of you? It's not like you were accidentally hit by gamma rays and suddenly grew one. That would be weird."
~
"I beat up Melly, got thrown in jail, and Vic took me to a bear-only town called Honeyville. Then I jousted."
"You have always wanted to try that."
"I was really good against the cats. The bears kicked my ass, though."
Toni sat down on the bed next to Livy. "Did Vic joust?"
"No. He would have been great, too, but he was too busy yelling at me about how dangerous and stupid it was for me to joust."
"He yelled at you because he's in love with you."
Livy lifted her feet, studied her bare toes. "Did you know Honeyville has over three hundred and seventy types of honey? I think I tried almost all of them."
"So you're going to pretend I didn't just say what I just said?"
"Pretty much."
"Avoidance is still your friend, I see."
"How else do you think I've managed to survive with this family?"
"You'll have to face it eventually," Toni singsonged to her.
"You're going to have to shut up," Livy singsonged back.
Toni put her arm around Livy, and placed her head on her friend's shoulder. "I'm so very glad you didn't manage to get yourself killed."
"That's the nicest way to blame the victim I've ever heard."
"I'm really good at that. So did Kyle ask Vic to pose naked?"
"Yes. But I can't blame the kid. The man has amazing cheekbones."
~
"Take this."
Vic opened the heavy briefcase, looked in, blinked, gazed at his father. "Seriously?"
"Take it. Use it. You cannot just sit around all day using your tail inappropriately with that She-badger-"
"Papa!"
"-and not do something to help yourselves out of this situation."
"What are you talking about?"
"Victor," his mother called out. "Victor, my dear. Come to Mama."
Vic closed the briefcase and walked around the car to his mother. He crouched down in front of her since he knew she wasn't about to stand.
"Take this," she said, touching the case. "Use it." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "Hide it from badgers. They are nothing but thieves."
"Mama."
"I do not mean your little Olivia. She has no distinct criminal record for at least a decade now. That is good. But her family." She rolled her eyes. "Good luck protecting your wallet."
Before Vic could ask his mother to stop-or simply repeat "Mama" with tone-she went on. "The thing you must remember is getting this Whitlan person is just part of what you need to do. If you want to protect your badger, you'll need to ensure Chumakov is made impotent."
Vic reared back from his mother. "That doesn't sound right. Are you sure you're using the word right?"
"Do not insult me, Victor Barinov. Ungrateful boy!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Be smart. Take care of this."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now kiss me so we can go."
"Where are you going?"
"To do what we can from our end."
"Which is what, exactly?"
"Why do you question me so?" his mother bellowed. "It is like you do not trust me!"
"I trust you! I trust you!"
Vic kissed his mother on both cheeks and stood while he was grabbed by his father in one of his all-encompassing hugs, then kissed twice on both cheeks.
"My brilliant, amazing son!" Vladik boomed. "Do not get yourself killed or my rarely seen rage will be unleashed on the entire world!"
"I know, Papa."
"Good. And you take good care of our little Olivia. Your mother may find her too tiny to be worthy of love-"
"When did I say that?"
"-but I like her. She is good for you and doesn't appear to find your awkward silences off-putting."
"Thanks, Papa."
~
Vic kissed her on the cheek. "I may avoid telling you things because I don't want you to snap, get your hands on a death ray, and start wiping out whole countries…but I would never lie to you."
"How do you know I'd get my hands on a death ray?"
"Kyle said he was designing one, because it needed to be aesthetically attractive, and was going to have Freddy and Troy build it."
"Then I can get my hands on a death ray…that's good to know."
"And that's what has me worried."
"Are you going into the City alone?"
"Bringing Shen."
"You'll be careful?"
"I will. You promise not to throw another locker at Blayne?"
"No."
"Livy, remember? Novikov and Lock saved your life. And Novikov loves Blayne."
"Why?
"Livy."
"I'll be nice." She tried to smile to show her sincerity, but Vic leaned away from her.
"Don't…" He shook her head. "Don't force it."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. It's that bad."
~
"Maybe that's how they love. We're different."
"I am tainted by their bloodline."
"You're not tainted. I'm not tainted by my parents."
"And how do you figure that?"
"I can't saunter into a room and make everyone in there want to have sex with me or kill me like my mother. But I can have a conversation in a tone of voice that doesn't travel through several states…unlike my father. And although you have a mean streak a mile wide just like your mother, you seem to only use it on Blayne. And like your father, you do seem to like a good fight, but you only seem to enjoy fighting Melly…and beehives. And to me that means we can love each other any way we want to. Even like normal people."
"You mean normal people who have a mouthful of fangs and a prehensile tail."
"You like my tail."
"I also like my mouthful of fangs…that doesn't make us normal'"
"Well," Vic asked, since he was at a complete loss, "do you want to go back inside?"
"No," she snapped, "I want to stay out here by this stupid giant tree and fuck." Livy threw her hands up. "See? Pathetic."
"You're a very hard woman to understand sometimes."
"Don't bullshit me," she accused. "You understand me better than anybody."
"And that irritates the hell out of you, doesn't it?"
"Yes! Because I'll rely on you now. You'll always mean something to me. You'll be important in my life. My art is the only thing that should be important. Love is just this fucking distraction. It destroys good art."
"Only if you let it, which you won't because you are selfish enough not to."
Livy nodded. "That's good point. And you travel a lot, so I won't come home every day to find you sitting on the couch, waiting for me to be there, so you can annoy me with your attention and affection."
"God forbid."
"Yeah," Livy said, not quite getting the sarcasm.
"But, hey, you never know. We could still get killed. We're not finished yet."
"But we both know that's bullshit. I'm a honey badger. And you're just…freaky."
"Thank you."
She sighed as if she'd realized the worst thing imaginable. "We're going to be together and in love forever, aren't we?"
"Probably."
"That's so fucking typical of my life," she spat out. "I can never get a break."
"I'm sorry."
"No, you're not."
"No. I'm not." Vic leaned down and pressed his forehead against Livy's. "Can you say it again?"
"I don't want to. No. That's not true. I do want to, but I shouldn't want to."
"Say it anyway. For me."
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"See? Why do you have to be so mean?"
Laughing, Vic hugged Livy tight. "Sorry. That must be the feline mean streak I got from my mother."
November 25, 2025
What can I say, Bite Me is a hysterical, fun and highly entertaining book. I laughed out loud to many times to count and had a crazy smile on my face most of the read. Laurenston has a way of fusing animal characteristics with human emotions making utterly outrageous, witty and wildly captivating story lines.
It isn't all fun and games. Somehow, Laurenston also weaves difficult and heart aching situations into this humor filled plot. This gives us the perfect balance of enjoyment and a deep character connection.
Personal Note: Honey Badgers ROCK! I loved the unpredictable clashes between the two cat/bear hybrids!
I'm a fan, I love the Pride series. Bite Me brought me hours of great reading, characters I've come to love, and a desire for more Pride stories to come.
I received this ARC copy of Bite Me from Kensington Books - Brava in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 25, 2014.
It isn't all fun and games. Somehow, Laurenston also weaves difficult and heart aching situations into this humor filled plot. This gives us the perfect balance of enjoyment and a deep character connection.
Personal Note: Honey Badgers ROCK! I loved the unpredictable clashes between the two cat/bear hybrids!
I'm a fan, I love the Pride series. Bite Me brought me hours of great reading, characters I've come to love, and a desire for more Pride stories to come.
I received this ARC copy of Bite Me from Kensington Books - Brava in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 25, 2014.
December 28, 2014
The romance wasn't super strong in this one but this was a really entertaining read (audible listen). It was so funny!
February 15, 2014
Shelly Laurenston makes me laugh. This series always picks me up. Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series is filled with sigh worthy fellows and super snarky women. The stories are well told. They are filled with action, adventure, love and laughter and each and every one has a subtle subplot speaking out against things like bullying, prejudice, self-esteem issues and the like without being preachy. All this goes to say I LOVE THIS SERIES! This story is no different. Hunky Bear-tiger Vic (No I am NOT a professional athlete) has never encountered anyone like honey badger Livy Kowalski. Livy lives by her own set of rules, speaks her mind and makes no apologies for who or how she is. He is amazed that this tiny woman has absolutely no fear and he likes that about her. These two get into some serious scrapes but only come out stronger for them. Note: We get to catch up with some of the characters from the earlier books so if you haven’t read them you won’t get it. You can probably read this stand-alone but then you will want to go out and get the rest of the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I honestly LOVED this book and think you will too.
This book goes on sale March 25th
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I honestly LOVED this book and think you will too.
This book goes on sale March 25th
January 4, 2019
2nd read: April 2014
Buddy read with Jo
1st read: February 2014
Funniest book I've read this year!
Buddy read with Jo
1st read: February 2014
Funniest book I've read this year!
August 13, 2019
Not interesting
November 26, 2014
I think I'm just going to write one review for every single book in this series. It will work because it's essentially the same book written nine different ways.
When I read the prequel to this series, Howl For It, I thought to myself, Well, this could be interesting. I really liked reading about Darla and Eggie. The backwoods redneck theme made me a bit leery, but Laurenston wrote the characters with such unapologetic frankness that I found myself liking even the loudest, brashest southerners in the mix. Which is saying something because I can't really stand that kind of thing in real life. Laurenston has a way with characters and dialogue, and there's a wit in these stories that's sadly missing from a lot of modern romances. Her pacing is good, her sex scenes are enjoyable, not over-the-top or full of purple prose, but also not so dirty they'd throw some readers off. They're a sort of middle ground, I suppose. Which can be good or bad, depending on your taste. I personally can handle far raunchier sex scenes, but I don't need them, and I think the level of sensuality in these books is fitting to the sense of the stories overall. The characters are likable and irritating all at the same time, and that creates a tension while reading that's surprisingly enjoyable. You find yourself unable to put the book down, but not just because you love it. There's a desire to see what idiot things the characters will do next. A lot of them are the kind of people we love to hate and hate to love.
As an author, Laurenston is capable of crafting characters with charisma. You may not like them, you may disapprove of their life choices, but damn it, you find them intriguing.
The only negative thing I have to say about these books is that they're just too damn similar. In every book, the heroine is reluctant and bitchy, slightly hysterical and irrational, and the men are the ones who have to convince them they're fated to be together. I don't mind that in a story, but after nine full installments and two novellas, that formula got to be a little annoying.
When I read the prequel to this series, Howl For It, I thought to myself, Well, this could be interesting. I really liked reading about Darla and Eggie. The backwoods redneck theme made me a bit leery, but Laurenston wrote the characters with such unapologetic frankness that I found myself liking even the loudest, brashest southerners in the mix. Which is saying something because I can't really stand that kind of thing in real life. Laurenston has a way with characters and dialogue, and there's a wit in these stories that's sadly missing from a lot of modern romances. Her pacing is good, her sex scenes are enjoyable, not over-the-top or full of purple prose, but also not so dirty they'd throw some readers off. They're a sort of middle ground, I suppose. Which can be good or bad, depending on your taste. I personally can handle far raunchier sex scenes, but I don't need them, and I think the level of sensuality in these books is fitting to the sense of the stories overall. The characters are likable and irritating all at the same time, and that creates a tension while reading that's surprisingly enjoyable. You find yourself unable to put the book down, but not just because you love it. There's a desire to see what idiot things the characters will do next. A lot of them are the kind of people we love to hate and hate to love.
As an author, Laurenston is capable of crafting characters with charisma. You may not like them, you may disapprove of their life choices, but damn it, you find them intriguing.
The only negative thing I have to say about these books is that they're just too damn similar. In every book, the heroine is reluctant and bitchy, slightly hysterical and irrational, and the men are the ones who have to convince them they're fated to be together. I don't mind that in a story, but after nine full installments and two novellas, that formula got to be a little annoying.
April 2, 2015
Read this review on Got Fiction? book blog
3.5
Livy’s dad died, but since she really didn’t like him, she’s only at the funeral for the drama. But before you think she doesn’t care, let me point out that she’s a honey badger. And we all know honey badger don’t care.
Okay, that may have been a bit over the top, but that’s the best part about this series; this series is completely over the top, and it revels in it.
For those who haven’t read Shelly Laurenston before, I don’t know as I’d suggest reading out of order, but I will say that you’re missing out. This series is hysterical.
So, back to Livy. She’s not necessarily broken up about her father’s death, so when her friend Vic asks her for a favor, she has no problem agreeing. Anything to get away from her crazy family. The favor is a little bit of breaking and entering. But don’t worry! It’s for a good cause! Livy breaks into the apartment of the daughter of a crime boss. She’s trying to find a connection to the man who takes humans to hunt shifters. And boy does she.
Turns out that there’s a stuffed honey badger on the girl’s fireplace. Not like a toy, but a taxidermied stuffed animal. And...
*********Spoiler Alert (but you find out early on)***********
It’s Livy’s dad.
Someone hunted and mounted her dad. This is not okay.
Calling in her family, the same family she’d rather avoid, Livy gets them together, and they plan on how to get the man selling out shifters.
The worst part is that a shifter may be in on it, and that’s the worst kind of betrayal. Vic uses his connections to find out who’s protecting the human who plans the hunting trips, and the honey badgers make sure he regrets what he did…and that he’s found. Without his skin. (ew).
I think that the bigger plot usually takes backseat to the romance in this series, and it works. You get so caught up in the fun and the back-and-forth between characters, that you never really mind.
Full of the signature Shelly Laurentson sense of humor, this book had me laughing or smiling almost non-stop.
***ARC courtesy of Kensington books
3.5
Livy’s dad died, but since she really didn’t like him, she’s only at the funeral for the drama. But before you think she doesn’t care, let me point out that she’s a honey badger. And we all know honey badger don’t care.
Okay, that may have been a bit over the top, but that’s the best part about this series; this series is completely over the top, and it revels in it.
For those who haven’t read Shelly Laurenston before, I don’t know as I’d suggest reading out of order, but I will say that you’re missing out. This series is hysterical.
So, back to Livy. She’s not necessarily broken up about her father’s death, so when her friend Vic asks her for a favor, she has no problem agreeing. Anything to get away from her crazy family. The favor is a little bit of breaking and entering. But don’t worry! It’s for a good cause! Livy breaks into the apartment of the daughter of a crime boss. She’s trying to find a connection to the man who takes humans to hunt shifters. And boy does she.
Turns out that there’s a stuffed honey badger on the girl’s fireplace. Not like a toy, but a taxidermied stuffed animal. And...
*********Spoiler Alert (but you find out early on)***********
It’s Livy’s dad.
Someone hunted and mounted her dad. This is not okay.
Calling in her family, the same family she’d rather avoid, Livy gets them together, and they plan on how to get the man selling out shifters.
The worst part is that a shifter may be in on it, and that’s the worst kind of betrayal. Vic uses his connections to find out who’s protecting the human who plans the hunting trips, and the honey badgers make sure he regrets what he did…and that he’s found. Without his skin. (ew).
I think that the bigger plot usually takes backseat to the romance in this series, and it works. You get so caught up in the fun and the back-and-forth between characters, that you never really mind.
Full of the signature Shelly Laurentson sense of humor, this book had me laughing or smiling almost non-stop.
***ARC courtesy of Kensington books
June 28, 2023
4 HONEY BADGER STARS
Olivia "Livy" Kowalski has lost her creative edge. She's been working as the photographer for the Shifter Sports League, which her friend Toni, from Wolf With Benefits , got her. And something just doesn't feel right. Going against who and what she is, she has a steady job and an apartment. Its not until after her father's funeral when she runs into Vic Barinov that things start to change.
Vic can't understand why Livy is the only person that doesn't irritate him. Even when she breaks into his house causing costly damage and eats all of his honey.
He needs her for a job as they are still trying to find Whitlan, the full-human who was providing shifters for hunting expeditions. But when the results of that job put Livy in danger, Vic refuses to let her go it alone. They will find out who's protecting the full-human and killer her father.
This was a bitter sweet ending to the seires. I fell it could go on longer with others finding love, but I get that sometimes its better to end on a high note than to fade away because the story has gone on too long.
I loved that Kyle and other members of the Jean-Louise Parker family came back. They are hysterical. I love how Vic and Bo, finally figured out how to co-exist and even become friends. I still don't like how Toni and Livy treat Blayne, but I guess not everyone can like her. I also loved how Vic and Livy connected. They were sweet.
I think one of the best parts of this entire series for me beside the hilarity and the hot relationships, is how the author didn't worry about race. These characters had bigger fish to fry and I think that's what made it sweet to me. There are many ethnicities in the world and they come together in work and in play. I like that it was weaved into this story, but wasn't the focus.
Thanks Shelley for a great series. I look forward to other books from you!
Olivia "Livy" Kowalski has lost her creative edge. She's been working as the photographer for the Shifter Sports League, which her friend Toni, from Wolf With Benefits , got her. And something just doesn't feel right. Going against who and what she is, she has a steady job and an apartment. Its not until after her father's funeral when she runs into Vic Barinov that things start to change.
Vic can't understand why Livy is the only person that doesn't irritate him. Even when she breaks into his house causing costly damage and eats all of his honey.
He needs her for a job as they are still trying to find Whitlan, the full-human who was providing shifters for hunting expeditions. But when the results of that job put Livy in danger, Vic refuses to let her go it alone. They will find out who's protecting the full-human and killer her father.
This was a bitter sweet ending to the seires. I fell it could go on longer with others finding love, but I get that sometimes its better to end on a high note than to fade away because the story has gone on too long.
I loved that Kyle and other members of the Jean-Louise Parker family came back. They are hysterical. I love how Vic and Bo, finally figured out how to co-exist and even become friends. I still don't like how Toni and Livy treat Blayne, but I guess not everyone can like her. I also loved how Vic and Livy connected. They were sweet.
I think one of the best parts of this entire series for me beside the hilarity and the hot relationships, is how the author didn't worry about race. These characters had bigger fish to fry and I think that's what made it sweet to me. There are many ethnicities in the world and they come together in work and in play. I like that it was weaved into this story, but wasn't the focus.
Thanks Shelley for a great series. I look forward to other books from you!
February 6, 2015
Livy Kowalsk- Honey Badger shifter, artist and actively avoiding her thieving family- well except when its her father's funeral. Mostly she aint got time for most peoples peccadillos- though she seems to have plenty of her own- burrowing holes, stealing other people's honey and sleeping under beds. She hasnt had inspiration for her photography for a long time but then her crazy cousin moves in and a big ol Tiger/Grizzly shifter enters the picture...
Vic Barinov a mix breed Siberian Tiger/Grizzly Bear shifter and some sorta wrangler for protective shifter agencies, from what I can tell, kinda likes that Honey Badger he sees around from time to time- even when she burrows into HIS house and eats all his specialty honey. Aside from tracking down the shifter world's most wanted for three major organizations that haven't be able to in more than two years, how's he gonna deal with this cute little HB invading his home- and heart?
This one was another "eh" for me. I really liked Vic- I coulda handled a lot more of him and his "calm bear in the kitchen, but tiger in the bedroom" antics! (Typically, I lol'd when he first came on the scene with him snatching a petty criminal running from cops into a side ally and said criminal still pumping his arms and legs while held aloft in the air unaware he's just been grabbed by the neck by a 7 ft tall shifter.)
I even liked quirky relatively unemotional but mostly sullen, Livy... again the hunting down the baddies looking to stuff shifters and mount them? Not so much.
Vic Barinov a mix breed Siberian Tiger/Grizzly Bear shifter and some sorta wrangler for protective shifter agencies, from what I can tell, kinda likes that Honey Badger he sees around from time to time- even when she burrows into HIS house and eats all his specialty honey. Aside from tracking down the shifter world's most wanted for three major organizations that haven't be able to in more than two years, how's he gonna deal with this cute little HB invading his home- and heart?
This one was another "eh" for me. I really liked Vic- I coulda handled a lot more of him and his "calm bear in the kitchen, but tiger in the bedroom" antics! (Typically, I lol'd when he first came on the scene with him snatching a petty criminal running from cops into a side ally and said criminal still pumping his arms and legs while held aloft in the air unaware he's just been grabbed by the neck by a 7 ft tall shifter.)
I even liked quirky relatively unemotional but mostly sullen, Livy... again the hunting down the baddies looking to stuff shifters and mount them? Not so much.
February 4, 2014
I received a copy of Bite Me from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Shelly Laurenston is one of my go to authors, her books are what I grab when I need a laugh or when I just want something light hearted and fun to read. Nobody in the urban fantasy genre creates insane characters quite like she does and I love every sociopathic one of them. She mixes the characteristics of the animals they shift into along with some really funky personalities in a hilarious manner and Bite Me is no exception.
We met Livy in the last book Wolf with Benefits, she's tiny, mean, fearless and she makes Dee-Ann Smith look sane. Irritated by almost everyone and everything she is very much a loner with some quirky honey badger habits, like eating honey and hiding in the cupboards of one Vic Barinov. Vic is a grizzly/tiger hybrid with characteristics of both animals and really he needs them to put up with Livy and their shared honey addictions. Vic is a lot like Bo Novikov only without the OCD and strict schedule.
I can't give too much away as the book doesn't come out til March but suffice it to say it is every bit as funny as the previous books Shelly Laurenston has written. Loaded with lots of action and humor, and of course the usual cast of characters from previous books all make an appearance. You can read an excerpt here and hopefully that will tide you over until March.
Shelly Laurenston is one of my go to authors, her books are what I grab when I need a laugh or when I just want something light hearted and fun to read. Nobody in the urban fantasy genre creates insane characters quite like she does and I love every sociopathic one of them. She mixes the characteristics of the animals they shift into along with some really funky personalities in a hilarious manner and Bite Me is no exception.
We met Livy in the last book Wolf with Benefits, she's tiny, mean, fearless and she makes Dee-Ann Smith look sane. Irritated by almost everyone and everything she is very much a loner with some quirky honey badger habits, like eating honey and hiding in the cupboards of one Vic Barinov. Vic is a grizzly/tiger hybrid with characteristics of both animals and really he needs them to put up with Livy and their shared honey addictions. Vic is a lot like Bo Novikov only without the OCD and strict schedule.
I can't give too much away as the book doesn't come out til March but suffice it to say it is every bit as funny as the previous books Shelly Laurenston has written. Loaded with lots of action and humor, and of course the usual cast of characters from previous books all make an appearance. You can read an excerpt here and hopefully that will tide you over until March.
December 21, 2021
I'm not going to pull any punches, guys. I could totally read about how insanely hated Novikov is by PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE until the cows come home. I don't even know what it is about the guy that makes me like him so much, but whenever he's brought into the story I perk up.
But Novikov is just a side treat I get to wallow in. This book is all about Livy and Vic. Well, and the conclusion of a pesky problem that's been plaguing the hybrids for the past few books.
For the record, I do love how the honey badgers took care of business when one of their own was....err, threatened, I guess you could say. The point being that you don't want to cross a honey badger. Pretty much ever. Whether it's over a priceless treasure or a jar of honey. Just... no. Don't. Those guys are vicious.
Anyway. Let's get back to Livy and Vic. Livy's feeling the strain of her muse deserting her. Vic keeps finding her in his cupboards. I ADORED how Vic's feelings for Livy sort of snuck up on him. I loved how he was okay with her eating all his high-end honey. As with most of the crazy hybrid mish-mashes, I LOVED Vic's hybrid form.
Did I mention the whole Novikov thing? Because, yeah. That guy and his OCD issues makes me weirdly happy.
Now that I've reached the end of the currently published books, I guess I need to go back and dive into a reread. Because that's what one does.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But Novikov is just a side treat I get to wallow in. This book is all about Livy and Vic. Well, and the conclusion of a pesky problem that's been plaguing the hybrids for the past few books.
For the record, I do love how the honey badgers took care of business when one of their own was....err, threatened, I guess you could say. The point being that you don't want to cross a honey badger. Pretty much ever. Whether it's over a priceless treasure or a jar of honey. Just... no. Don't. Those guys are vicious.
Anyway. Let's get back to Livy and Vic. Livy's feeling the strain of her muse deserting her. Vic keeps finding her in his cupboards. I ADORED how Vic's feelings for Livy sort of snuck up on him. I loved how he was okay with her eating all his high-end honey. As with most of the crazy hybrid mish-mashes, I LOVED Vic's hybrid form.
Did I mention the whole Novikov thing? Because, yeah. That guy and his OCD issues makes me weirdly happy.
Now that I've reached the end of the currently published books, I guess I need to go back and dive into a reread. Because that's what one does.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
October 7, 2015
I love, love, love Livvy. She is so hardcore tough, non caring, and funny. And Vic is like a goofy bear with his hand stuck in a honey jar. Livvy is the baddest bitch around that goes into any situation, dangerous/life threatening/etc. with no fear, just as a badass bitch. She's even more badass than Dee Ann probably. And Vic still likes her and puts up with her quirky humor, as she puts up with how anti-social and awkward he is.
The inclusion of Livvy's honey badger family that is completely batshit crazy is amazing. They make the story even better with their antics. And Vic's parents are surprisingly funny characters as well, just not mental asylum insane like Livvy's. One of my favorites of this series.
Vic:
The inclusion of Livvy's honey badger family that is completely batshit crazy is amazing. They make the story even better with their antics. And Vic's parents are surprisingly funny characters as well, just not mental asylum insane like Livvy's. One of my favorites of this series.
Vic:
December 31, 2015
No one messes with a honey badger, they are one of the most unpredictable and terrifying shifters out there. Having seen Livy Kowalski in action, Vic Barinov has respect for her more than others. In fact he tolerates Livy more than anyone else, that is why when he asks Livy to get information about a man who has been on the run and hard to find, he knows something has gone terribly wrong. Vic has Livy's back through it all and finds himself looking at her more as a his woman than his friend.
I was not sure at first when I read the first chapter, but the next chapter got me hooked. Vic and Livy are a new favorite couple for sure, they are dynamic and both a bit cutthroat. You get some Bo and Blayne love too which is always a highlight in every book they are in. Another fantastic read from Shelly Laurenston.
I was not sure at first when I read the first chapter, but the next chapter got me hooked. Vic and Livy are a new favorite couple for sure, they are dynamic and both a bit cutthroat. You get some Bo and Blayne love too which is always a highlight in every book they are in. Another fantastic read from Shelly Laurenston.
May 13, 2014
This book was quintessential Shelly and I loved it. Honey Badgers are seriously crazy fun and Vic with his utter seriousness was a hoot. I enjoyed the antics more than the romance but this book made me fall in love with this series all over again.
July 29, 2014
OMG YES!!!!
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