I really enjoyed this, although I found this book so full of characters and incidents that I was a bit confused a lot of the time on the action. The love story wasn't the main part of the book, however, i enjoyed the funny scenes, the women in this being properly badass, and the touches of humour

I loved the character of Finn Malone, and his crazy brother, collectively the Black Malones, who are trying to solve the mystery of who killed their father. They bump into Mads and her honey badger teammates who are on a misson to save shifters from a trafficking ring. Both missions go wrong, and they all end up at the Malones. When the badgers try to say thank you with Danish pastries, Finns cranky brothers misunderstand, and everything goes pear shaped.

Mads doesnt gel with the Malones any more than her teamamtes, except Finn, who is a bit grumpy, but also v hot. She decides to help him with his mission about his father's death, and many mad, crazy and very vilent situations ensure, and alongside that they get together.

All in all a pretty wild ride of a book full of action with a dash of romance.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Disclaimer! This was an ARC from Netgalley. It has in no way influenced my review.

This is the fourth book in an ongoing series. While this book works on its own, it will be much more enjoyable if you've read the first three books in the Honey Badger Chronicles, which start with Hot and Badgered.

While the first three books in the Honey Badger Chronicles introduce us to the three MacKilligan sisters Charlie, Stevie, and Max who have different mothers but the same utterly irredeemable deadbeat dad. Not only do a lot of people hate and shun the women because of actions perpetrated by their father, or seek them out to hurt them in some misguided attempt to get revenge on him, but on more than one occasion, he tried to sell Stevie to drug cartels or Max into domestic slavery. No matter how bad the scrapes he gets himself into, their horrible dad seems to manage to survive against all odds to every so often pop up in the women's lives like a malevolent jack in the box to disrupt their peace. In the first three books, the sisters each find a romantic partner, and they also settle down in a New York suburb mostly populated by shapeshifters. Their closest neighbours are all various kinds of bears who are willing to put up with Max stealing honey from their hives because of the huge amount of baked goods provided when Charlie stress bakes (which she does a lot).

In book 3, Badger to the Bone, the MacKilligan sisters discover that they have another half-sister, a young deaf woman with a devious mind and truly exceptional computer skills. Her entire family is comprised of Siberian tiger shifters and she has her three eldest half-brothers, known in the shifter community as the Black Malones, wrapped entirely around her scheming little finger. Only her youngest half-brother, who is also constantly berated and underestimated by the older Malones, has any idea of his sister's true nature. In Breaking Badger, Laurenston, having already paired up her first three MacKilligan sisters, moves on to the members of Max' basketball team, all honey badgers (they are also Max' gun-toting backup crew who get her out of trouble)

Finn Malone and his two eldest brothers are determined to find out not only how their father was killed but are out to avenge his death. In this book, Finn is thrown together with Mads Galendotter, one of Max' best friends. Because of her truly awful family, Mads has a number of trust issues and has trouble even trusting that her basketball crew (they are clearly all sisters from different misters) won't abandon and disappoint her. However, by now the truly bonkers adventures of the MacKilligan sisters and their various loved ones take up most of the plot. The romance between Finn and Mads is rather secondary, and I didn't even mind, because I just love spending time with these characters. Learning more about the various women in Max' basketball team was enlightening, and it's very obvious that Laurenston has plans for at least a few more of these dangerous ladies and the other two Black Malone brothers.

In April 2020, I read The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston, the first in a series of books especially beloved by several of the reviewers on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. I had trouble getting into the story and didn't find the romance particularly convincing. I was therefore a bit reluctant to start the Honey Badger Chronicles, but I shouldn't have worried, they are incredibly entertaining, ridiculously violent and the plots are completely crazy. The bonds between the MacKilligan sisters and later the found family of Max' basketball team was a lovely touch, as are the various ways in which these women are all utterly kick-ass. You do not want to mess with honey badger shifters, but you especially don't want to get on Charlie MacKilligan's bad side. There's a scene in this book that had me literally gasping out loud at the audacity of Laurenston, and if I wasn't completely sold on the books by now, that scene probably ensured that I will be buying and reading these books in perpetuity.

This book came out in late August 2021. Thanks to circumstances really keeping me apathetic much of the time, I didn't find the time to finish reading the book until early October and I feel really bad that it's taken me so long to finish this review. If you're unsure of whether these books are for you - ask yourself this - do you like the Deadpool movies and James Gunn's The Suicide Squad? Then you'll love them. I firmly believe that Harley Quinn and Max MacKilligan would be BFFs.

Judging a book by its cover: While the first three books in the series have dudes (who are clearly meant to be the various heroes of the books) prominently featured on the covers, I really like the cover redesign which just has a tiger and a stylised heart - so the reader can use their own imagination to picture the protagonists.

This is book 4 in the Honey Badger Chronicles and can be read as a stand alone book. this story is how Mad and her team, Honey Badgers, help Finn and his brothers, Siberian tigers, rescue other shifters, targeted by humans and other paranormals. A great shifter book that fantasy fans will love. I like the interaction between the various groups of shifters. A good ending to this story with a great tag for book 5. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Freaking hilarious. Freaking freaky and fu*king fantastic. I loved this novel, I have so many passages highlighted it’s insane.

Mads Galendotter is obsessed with basketball from an early age. She’s one the stars of the shifters basketball team. As a honey badger raised by hyenas her life was anything but normal. Mads and her teammates have been friends since they were teenagers. Finn Malone is known as one of the Black Malones. A shifter football player. He and his brothers have been seeking revenge for the murder of their father. When the Malones rescue Mads and her teammates it brings together two groups who reluctantly will have to work together to find a murderer. Finn is completely baffled by Mads and her way of thinking. Their attraction just may bring a tiger and a honey badger together. Mads just may be a Breaking Badger to finally find the courage to confront her family.

Shelly Laurenston focuses on one of the MacKilligan sister’s friends in the fourth installment of her Honey Badger Chronicles book Breaking Badger. With her usual hilarious scenes, she brings to life the story of her honey badger characters and brings in the family of the newest MacKilligan sister who was revealed in the last book. Trouble abounds between the tigers and the honey badgers as they try to find a murderer, save family from harm and confront family. A man falls for a woman who confuses him, and she tries to protect herself and not give away her secrets. Sibling teasing, love and protection all play a part in this book. Breaking Badger brings a secondary character and shows the reader a new side to Max’s teammates. A mysterious real wolf in the middle of bear territory. A woman who finally settles down and confronts her family after years of being an outcast. A man who life is family oriented to the point of they live with him. The reader will laugh, scratch their head at the thought process these wonderful characters use. Shelly Laurenston’s Breaking Badger will keep you guessing and your sides hurting from all the laughing you’ll do. A must of Laurenston fans.

Another fun installment! I enjoyed getting back into Laurenston's shifter world. The humor and creativity of her stories never fail to entertain me.

This book focuses on Mads, a honey badger-hyena shifter. She loves basketball, is a bit of a nomad and always has her teammates backs. She meets Finn Malone, one of the Black Malone's, and begin a sort of friendship as the events around them keep bringing them back into each others lives.

This was typical of a Laurenston novel. A lot of humor, violence, aggressive shifters and mayhem make for a very fun read.

I will say that I felt there were too many points of view. In the book there are at least 7-10 different POV's. This is a newer thing the author has been doing in her recent book and I can't say that I'm a fan. The novels used to be mainly focused on one couple and the book was mostly a romance with a subplot of a mystery that kept the story moving. But with so many POV's we can't really get to know the characters and see their relationship grow. The last few books I've felt the main characters were just friends and at about 75% they suddenly fall into bed together and BAM! they're a couple. It don't think they are really romances anymore. Don't get me wrong. I still really enjoy the books but the romance that used to be in the books just isn't as prevalent as it used to be. Some may like that but I prefer more romance.

Overall I did enjoy the book and I will of course read the rest as they come out. I really enjoy the writing style and the world of this author. I look forward to the rest of the series.

I love Shelly Laurenston. I enjoy how funny and crazy her shifter books are. Especially her honey badgers. I loved the first 3 books in this series but even though I liked this one I didn't love it. I wanted more romance. This book was funny and the plot flowed well. I was never bored. I like both Finn and Mads. I felt the book really needed more of them. There was to much side story going on taking away from Mads and the love part of the book. I didn't feel their love and it made me not connect to them as a couple. Now I loved the pride series and I loved the Mackilligans sisters. I enjoyed seeing them in this book but it seemed they were more of a star then Mads. So while I enjoyed reading this book and I loved spending time with past favorites I had to rate it a bit lower because this was suppose to be Mads and Finns book and I felt like they got ripped off.

Badger me again
What an amazing story! It was a laugh a minute, well in between the moments of absolute insanity, and tenderness. But I loved every minute of it! The characters are fantastic as always, and I enjoyed the connection they all had. Some the family you are born with, all the family you choose. I love that this story might be over, and this couple found their HEA, but there is more to come. Intrigue and danger, and hopefully catching a murderer will be heading our way, soon I hope, and I can’t wait to immerse myself once again in the craziness that these guys call normal.

This is exactly the fun romp you expect from a Laurenston book. Unfortunately. I've noticed that the books are becoming less focused romance and more multiple character interactions. There are times when I lose track of who the main story is even about. I hope she narrows down the focus in future stories in this series.

***5 ‘Danish’ Stars***

So. Much. Fun!

I snort laughed more while reading this baby than I have in awhile, but that really isn’t that much of a surprise because I always seem to when it comes to this author.

And I feel I need to say this before going further. When it comes to this author (no matter the name the book is under) I simply read the books for true entertainment. Meaning, it’s not about the ‘romance’ for me ~ which is definitely not standard ~ it’s more about the crazy, chaotic, OTT characters and their relationships and reactions to each other that I love because the author takes their animal natures to the extreme and I never know what will happen next

So, Finn and Mads are the two characters that get together in this one and I loved both of them. Mads is one that keeps things close to the chest that mean a lot to her, with the exception of basketball. Basketball is her lifeline. Finn is, for the most part, laid back. He has to be considering how crazy his brothers drive him, but he’s a good guy who goes with the flow, except when it comes to his father. As happens with many of the couples in this world, they just kind of end up together. There is a bit of ‘romance’ in this one mixed in with the crazy, but I had fun watching them simply fall into each other in the end.

But as always, I love the crazy that constantly exists in this world. It was a lot of fun to get to know Mads teammates: Tock, Nelle, Streep and Max, who is a MacKilligan. And where one MacKilligan sister is, the others are as well, so it was fun catching up with Ze, Charlie, Berg, Stevie and Shen and the crazy their family drama always brings. And then there is Finn’s family ~ Keane, Shay, Dale (poor dale) and Nat, along with their mother Lisa ~ who I adored.

This one was a bit more gory than I anticipated, but it was still a lot of fun, though the blurb doesn’t totally match up with all that goes one, but I’m happy that with this new storyline, that we’ll be seeing more of this crew in the future.

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

I loved this book. It’s fun, action packed and laugh out loud funny. Shelly Laurenston writes banana pants fun. Mads and Finn were fun to read and their relationship pulled me in. I can’t wait for more from this author!

** spoiler alert **

Enjoyed this one a lot, this whole series is just so fun to read. We get lots of the great humour and crazy situations. And dynamic and interesting characters. Plus lots of time with well loved characters from previous books. My only complaint is that the romance with Mads and Finn was almost like an afterthought, and we don’t get a lot of time spent on their relationship. I love these books, but I’m still a romance reader who wants a little more focus on the couple. Still love the series though and can’t wait for the next book.

ARC Provided by NetGalley For An Honest Review

Breaking Badger is the Book 4 in the Honey Badger Chronicles series by Shelly Laurenston. This book can be read as a standalone should you wish, although it would be better if you read the previous books for a greater reading experience. Wildly Interesting plot to keep me engaged, a solid and established world-building that Shelly Laurenston is really good for with great characters. Will most definitely check out the next book in this series.

While this book is no different (fun, crazy, fast paced) from the others in the Honey Badger series, I find myself wishing there was more romance than just non-stop action. I feel like the MacKillgans are still the main focus, when the main characters of this story are supposed to be Mads and Finn.

My favorite from the Honey Badger series is still book 1.

4 Hearts
SJ, Romance Junkies

The fourth book in Shelly Laurenston’s humorous paranormal romance series, The Honey Badgers Chronicles, is filled with zany characters and a fast-paced plot that amuses and entertains as only a Laurenston book can. (Note, this book is not a standalone. There are a lot of past characters, and if you haven’t read the previous Honey Badgers Chronicles, you might be confused.)

Finn Malone, Siberian tiger shifter, and honey badger shifter Mads Galendotter previously appeared in the Honey Badger Chronicles, but this story has them the central couple amidst their kooky and dangerous friends. Finn helps a couple of honey badgers in trouble, but when those honey badgers try to thank the tiger and his brothers for their help, his rude brothers make a hash of things. And this turns out to be a problem because the honey badgers have information that can help the Malones deal with a major family problem.

The honey badgers involved are teammates on a basketball team–as well as secret mercenaries–who take no prisoners. The women are all strong, funny, and quirky. The action and comedy are at times over the top, but the heartfelt camaraderie and sisterly antics make this an enjoyable read.

The romance is a little more present than the past Badger Chronicle books, but still, barely even half romance to half adventure. I have no idea if the author plans to give the rest of Mads’s teammates stories, but I’m game to read them if she does. A fun, funny paranormal romance that will make you laugh and turn the page faster and faster. Don’t miss BREAKING BADGER.

OMG. I love this series! I mean, who could not love a series about Honey Badger sifters, right? They are totally badass! Shelly Laurenston has totally been a solid "I want to read" or an "I absolutely NEED to read" author of mine for a while now. She has remained one of my go-to authors for serious paranormal badass female MC with unapologetic badassery and an awesome overarching story arc that continues to entertain and enrapture.

Mads is a half-hyena but all honey badger of Norse roots. She and her honey badger basketball and 'other' teammates are on a mission when it turns drastically sideways. They encounter "The Black Malones" (the brothers to Max'shalf-badger/tiger sister) when on a mission to save shifters from a fighting trafficking ring. The Malones are there on a recon mission for information about the murder of their father many years ago. As the job goes sideways for both parties, the Malones help the Badgers escape from a bad to worse situation their "Group" teammates put them in. When the Honey Badgers make a good will effort with danishes, well, let's say the cranky tiger-shifters are less than receptive, and very badger-type responses ensue.

Again, I love this series. I have adored every second of the McKilligan sisters finding their mates and I am still loving all that comes from Max's teammates. While you could read this book as a stand-alone, you would be far better off if you read the whole of the Honey Badger Chronicles (if not also the Pride or some of it) first as you will miss some context. There is an overarching storying that you will miss some context to. But, I'm an absolute Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken convert, so... take my warnings as you will.

This is not primarily what some would call a "paranormal romance" with fated mates and the overall central storyline centers on the couple. This is more a paranormal story about honey badger shifters, their messed up family dynamics, their exploits as members of an offshoot of "The Group", and other social encounters as well as a story about how their mates came into their orbit. I love all the things about it.

I loved Mads. Her Norse roots on the backdrop of only what had been hinted at of hyena dynamics were great. Mads loved basketball, her formidable grandmother, and her teammates. When all that became skewed, she got uncomfortable, and you never want a honey badger to get uncomfortable.

Finn Malone is a typical cranky, self-absorbed, but highly volatile tiger-shifter male. I don't know what's wrong with me but I love the completely oblivious self-absorbed cat shifters that just wait for everyone to serve them without any compunction of pulling their own weight. Maybe it's because the females that eventually do come along don't put up with a minute of that crap. IDK, I just find it highly entertaining.

Mads and Finn, in the backdrop of crazy shifter and honey badger interactions, find common ground and totally make a, sort of, understanding friendship. But with the crazy of both their species (and family's) let alone the idea of both their species getting along, well that's like courting in its maximum.

Overall, Breaking Badger is highly entertaining, funny, and a wild romantic ride for both very seriously focused Finn and Mads. I love this series. I can't wait for more, I hope we get so many more lines of stories for the rest of the badgers, the Black Malones, and for some hanging around Jean-Louis Parker.

I highly recommend all of Shelly's books for all your paranormal, fantasy series with some romantic aspect reads. Honestly, I've never been let down.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I don't even know where to begin. I've only read one other book in this series, but I don't think having read them all would make this world and its characters any less insane.

Mads is a member of the insane, bonkers, crazy crew of badgers who plays basketball as their day job and creates mayhem in their off time. I really don't know how to begin describing the wacky characters that surround them. Are they the weirdest? Yes. Are the people they surround themselves with much less crazy? Not really. Max (one of the craziest)'s family is by far the most out there, what with their special powers of both insanity and shifter specialties. Throw in some drama around a job they went on, and introduce a family of tiger shifters and you've got the mind-blowing journey of this book.

Finn, probably one of the most down to earth, easy going characters in this book is pushed to his limit by the antics of the honey badgers. Lucky for him, there also is a somewhat less crazy honey badger in the mix - Mads. She balances his normalcy with a sprinkling of spontaneity. Their relationship was adorable and quirky to watch. As long as you are OK with the weird, lots of characters, a well established world, and paranormals - this is a truly entertaining read.

Not too much to say, if you have read her other books you know this is just a long running insanity but by some magic the author makes it hugely entertaining. I could drone on for a paragraph or 2 but i am just going to tell you, you will be hooked and love this stuff or you will think the rest of us have lost our minds if we like this stuff.

Felt like I was jumping from one storyline to the next to rapidly. Lacks the strong character building of early works. And as a fan of Ms. Laurenston’s work, her characters this time failed to grab my attention and keep it. I was honestly wondering if this was somebody else’s writing because it just read so different. But that’s not why you are here, is this a good read or worth it? Its not good but its an okay read. You might have to force yourself to get through it. Has some fun and entertaining moments but not enough to really engage. Well I hope you enjoy it better than I did.

And as always Happy Reading!!

New story arc for those crazy honey badgers. Now we are focused on the rest of Max's basketball team, her friends and teammates since junior high. First up we have Mads and the first "Black Monroe" brother, Finn. This branch of the Monroe family is part Mongolian, from an ancient line. When the boys father died they know or was murder and no one did anything about it, so they broke off from the rest of the family. They only lead they have lies with the possibility of a lead but it's through the MacKilligans.
Mads and Finn just fit together, they make no sense together but they work. Several issues arise for the whole crazy group to deal with but Finn and Mads are easy it doesn't start easy but it's a wild ride.
I freaking loved this book, the whole series so far has been entertaining.