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Pride #1-4
The Pride Series: The Main Event / The Beast in Him / The Mane Attraction / The Mane Squeeze
Animal magnetism has a whole new meaning when the menagerie of shapeshifters in Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series prowls, sniffs, howls, and roars into hot-blooded action . . .
THE MANE EVENT
NYPD cop Desiree “Dez” MacDermot knows she’s changed a lot since she palled around with her childhood buddy, Mace. But it’s fair to say that Mace has changed even more. It isn't just those intensely gold eyes, or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal body. It's something in the way he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle . . .
THE BEAST IN HIM
Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward “accidentally” bumps into heartthrob Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she’s come since high school. Now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy. Or so she thinks . . .
THE MANE ATTRACTION
Weddings have the strangest effect on people. Exhibit 1: Sissy Mae waking up in Mitch Shaw's bed the morning after her brother Bobby Ray’s nuptials. Exhibit 2: the gunmen trying to kill Mitch. Exhibit 3: Sissy Mae escorting a bleeding yet sexy lion shifter to her Tennessee Pack’s turf for safe keeping. It doesn't help that Mitch's appraising gaze makes her feel like the most desirable creature on earth . . .
THE MANE SQUEEZE
Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O’Neill knows how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy who has a tendency to turn into a massive Grizzly? Despite his menacing growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family, manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don’t believe in forever . . .
THE MANE EVENT
NYPD cop Desiree “Dez” MacDermot knows she’s changed a lot since she palled around with her childhood buddy, Mace. But it’s fair to say that Mace has changed even more. It isn't just those intensely gold eyes, or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal body. It's something in the way he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle . . .
THE BEAST IN HIM
Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward “accidentally” bumps into heartthrob Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she’s come since high school. Now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy. Or so she thinks . . .
THE MANE ATTRACTION
Weddings have the strangest effect on people. Exhibit 1: Sissy Mae waking up in Mitch Shaw's bed the morning after her brother Bobby Ray’s nuptials. Exhibit 2: the gunmen trying to kill Mitch. Exhibit 3: Sissy Mae escorting a bleeding yet sexy lion shifter to her Tennessee Pack’s turf for safe keeping. It doesn't help that Mitch's appraising gaze makes her feel like the most desirable creature on earth . . .
THE MANE SQUEEZE
Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O’Neill knows how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy who has a tendency to turn into a massive Grizzly? Despite his menacing growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family, manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don’t believe in forever . . .
- GenresRomanceShapeshifters
1386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2020
146 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
47 books7,946 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 7, 2022
Love these books! The characters and the way the writing makes me laugh.
January 22, 2025
I was passing time waiting for Onyx Storm to come out and I was reminded just how good this series was—and honestly still is.
Mace + Dez = Lion + Human
Brenden Shaw + Ronnie Lee = Lion + Wolf
Bobby Ray (Smitty) + Jessica Ward = Wolf + Wild Dog
Mitch Shaw + Sissy Mae = Lion + Wolf
Lock + Gwen = Grizzly Bear + Tigon (hybrid)
I have to say, the first four couples are arguably the ones with the best romance and of those four, Mace and Smitty had the best second chance romances (and not all of them are second chance romances, but with these two couples it worked out SO well with the plot).
Brenden and Mitch are the class clowns as we go on throughout the series and although their romance isn’t as impactful as Mace and Smitty’s it’s always a pleasure reading how sassy the felines can be and how the wolves endure that sassiness.
Lock and Gwen are a hit a or miss. They are not the worst and not the best, but to me, their love story was more of a filler book than anything. Just to push the plot forward and give further details for more potential protagonists and other side characters.
All of the women in the Pride series (and within this universe) are all badasses, to the point where they can become a bit repetitive. HOWEVER, I think this was commonly countered by giving them (fem protags) either huge personalities or a large amount of familial dysfunction/trauma. Although we never get into the trauma as her books are almost always more upbeat and happy-go-crazy instead of a moodier setting.
So yeah, towards the last like, 4-3 books in the Pride series, the romance kind of dies out and the plot/side characters are often appearing more than the growth of the FL and ML’s relationship.
These are mostly just read for good vibes and laughs, so it’s a pretty solid 4-5 star rating for me.
Mace + Dez = Lion + Human
Brenden Shaw + Ronnie Lee = Lion + Wolf
Bobby Ray (Smitty) + Jessica Ward = Wolf + Wild Dog
Mitch Shaw + Sissy Mae = Lion + Wolf
Lock + Gwen = Grizzly Bear + Tigon (hybrid)
I have to say, the first four couples are arguably the ones with the best romance and of those four, Mace and Smitty had the best second chance romances (and not all of them are second chance romances, but with these two couples it worked out SO well with the plot).
Brenden and Mitch are the class clowns as we go on throughout the series and although their romance isn’t as impactful as Mace and Smitty’s it’s always a pleasure reading how sassy the felines can be and how the wolves endure that sassiness.
Lock and Gwen are a hit a or miss. They are not the worst and not the best, but to me, their love story was more of a filler book than anything. Just to push the plot forward and give further details for more potential protagonists and other side characters.
All of the women in the Pride series (and within this universe) are all badasses, to the point where they can become a bit repetitive. HOWEVER, I think this was commonly countered by giving them (fem protags) either huge personalities or a large amount of familial dysfunction/trauma. Although we never get into the trauma as her books are almost always more upbeat and happy-go-crazy instead of a moodier setting.
So yeah, towards the last like, 4-3 books in the Pride series, the romance kind of dies out and the plot/side characters are often appearing more than the growth of the FL and ML’s relationship.
These are mostly just read for good vibes and laughs, so it’s a pretty solid 4-5 star rating for me.
September 17, 2022
Delightful collection of Shape shifted Romances
What did I like?
I loved the sweet and humorous tone of the books in this collection. I have already read these books once before, but seeing them all bundled up together for such a price made it feel like a delicious treat to revisit some great characters and story lines.
This second part is a tad harder to express; I really like how the topic of shape shifters was handled. Slot of a character's personality came from their shape shifter "breed". Both good and bad traits, it was interesting and at times humorous to see how some traits translated into human behaviors.
Who would enjoy this book?
First of all, this is a collection of novels all set in the same universe. So, if you like binge reading an author's backlist, this would be an affordable way to read Shells Laurenston's works.
Secondly, if you like enjoy paranormal/shape shifted romance then these books are gonna hit your sweet spot. Each is a little different concerning the tropes. There are happily ever afters and happy for nows. There enough variety to interest most. My personal favorite couples were Jessie Ann & Bobby ray and then Gwen & Lock.
Third, while there is quite a bit of drama, none of it felt super angsty. I love drama, but hate angst. Lol. See if you can figure that one out! But I think most romance readers will understand.
What did I like?
I loved the sweet and humorous tone of the books in this collection. I have already read these books once before, but seeing them all bundled up together for such a price made it feel like a delicious treat to revisit some great characters and story lines.
This second part is a tad harder to express; I really like how the topic of shape shifters was handled. Slot of a character's personality came from their shape shifter "breed". Both good and bad traits, it was interesting and at times humorous to see how some traits translated into human behaviors.
Who would enjoy this book?
First of all, this is a collection of novels all set in the same universe. So, if you like binge reading an author's backlist, this would be an affordable way to read Shells Laurenston's works.
Secondly, if you like enjoy paranormal/shape shifted romance then these books are gonna hit your sweet spot. Each is a little different concerning the tropes. There are happily ever afters and happy for nows. There enough variety to interest most. My personal favorite couples were Jessie Ann & Bobby ray and then Gwen & Lock.
Third, while there is quite a bit of drama, none of it felt super angsty. I love drama, but hate angst. Lol. See if you can figure that one out! But I think most romance readers will understand.
June 3, 2023
Fun, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, light, entertaining read with enjoyable, entertwined stories. Shelly Laurenston does a fantastic job of imbuing her characters with the traits of their 'animal' sides with grin-inducing results. Highly recommend starting with The Mane Event, and reading all the way through Breaking Badger in order, because you will not only be fully caught up on all the author's books of this series based in NY (so far), but will also be introduced to characters and scenarios from her 2 West Coast based series set in the same-but-only-related world. LOVE these books!!
October 6, 2022
Nice
Wasn't feeling the last story at first but have to admit it turned me around. Nothing is funnier than the Crows or Badgers but this series is a close second. Explicit sex scenes are in these tales which are always a plus. Added bonus(which should be a given but not always)reciprocating women! 👏 Great story all around.
Wasn't feeling the last story at first but have to admit it turned me around. Nothing is funnier than the Crows or Badgers but this series is a close second. Explicit sex scenes are in these tales which are always a plus. Added bonus(which should be a given but not always)reciprocating women! 👏 Great story all around.
March 18, 2022
The Pride Series
Good read. It is amusing,romantic and tantalizing. It will keep you involved in the series.
Can't wait for the second volume.
Good read. It is amusing,romantic and tantalizing. It will keep you involved in the series.
Can't wait for the second volume.
November 4, 2022
gets better as you go.
The first two books weren’t very good, but they improve! The forth and fifth book were fun! Definitely going to continue reading.
The first two books weren’t very good, but they improve! The forth and fifth book were fun! Definitely going to continue reading.
April 23, 2023
I love this series. I laughed so hard my family started thinking I was nuts!
July 16, 2025
Fantastic series!
November 11, 2024
I have all of the books, but this collection makes binge reading so much easier. No longer looking fo the ebooks. No longer waiting for them to load.
November 25, 2024
Bought this compilation of wack romance novels that I keep rereading... and of course, I had to read it again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews