Mad bad and dangerous to know. Meet the most lovable laugh out loud family of hybrid Honey badger.
Bringing in famous characters from previous books will make you want to devour them as well.
One of the best books of the year to take you out of your life and into a world where you just want to be best friends with Honey badgers.
You will race through this book but will never want to get to the end.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher, Kensington Books) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Shay does not have an introduction that does him justice. In the first chapter he feels like a character that will get on everyone's nerves but he finds his rhythm pretty quickly and is a lovely addition to the cast. This series is fascinating and the tie-ins with the rest of the author's worlds make the world building top notch. Can't wait to read more!

Lions and tigers and honey badgers, oh my! Throw in the van Holtz wolves, the bears, a lot of thieving and chicanery, human trafficking for an unusual reason, a shifter foot ball team, and a mama dog and her babies, and you have extremely enjoyable chaos. The beginning was a little slow as there are many groups and characters to introduce but once the action started, it was hard to put down.

This book takes place in New York City where a lot of shifters live. If you are new to the series, I recommend reading at least the previous book where Mads, her half siblings and teammates are introduced. I was thrilled that Charlie, a wolf who can't shift, was also in this book. When Charlie gets stressed, she starts baking, and a stressed Charlie is a dangerous Charlie. Charlie bakes in this book.

Tock is one of the main characters. She is a honey badger and an excellent basketball player whose high school team wins championships. I was a little startled at first that the girls were teenagers, but they have been pulling heists for years. Honey badgers have a natural affinity for beautiful, expensive things, are excellent thieves, and have many contacts for fencing valuable items. Along with her teammates - also in high school - they steal a *lot*, including from museums. Leaving behind excellent facsimiles of the priceless items they removed. There is romance, of course. Shay, an Amur tiger, is fascinated by Tock. The two of them could not be more different, which makes their romance even funnier.

I highly recommend reading this book and the entire series, as well as all of the other books written as G. A. Aiken. They are some of the most entertaining books I've ever read and re-read. I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher Kensington Books via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

I've read most of this authors books and enjoyed them muchly. I've been a bit disappointed with the badger series so far. The first one was great, The second was ok. Max's was depressingly poor. This book is okay. I give it an okay because it continues the major storyline and does introduce some interesting characters. But this is not a romance book. There is no romance it's a guy who hangs out with a girl and then hooks up with her at about 80% through the book. Most of this book travels through the minds of most of the major characters from all the previous books. At least the ones attached to the Group and other such organizations. While a bit of revisiting old characters can be nice over half of this book is such revisiting. To the point where the characters we want to know about really aren't fully fleshed out. This has been the problem with many of the badger books. Too many characters, not enough time with the main ones so the romance part seems like an after thought. Gone are the scenes of tension, lust and you know what that made the previous books great to read. Sadly this book falls flat. There are some fun parts and funny parts but the romance just isn't there.

It is never boring when the honey badgers are around. They are almost indestructible, enjoy eating poisonous snakes and scorpions, and fearsome when aroused. Honey badger Emily “Tock” is focused on time management, she is fanatical about it and wants everyone to stay on schedule. So spending time with Shay Malone, an Amur tiger who has his childhood Gumby’s watch and pays no attention to time, drives her crazy. Plus, he loves his dogs, very unusual for a cat! For some reason Shay always seems to be nearby when Tock is around. She is focused, he’s laid back, total opposites. But Amur tigers are also very protective, so the laid-back attitude can change in the blink of an eye. I loved the banter between Tock and Shay. They were perfect together.

There are so many wonderful characters: badger hybrid Charlie, who can’t even shift but everyone is afraid of her temper. Shay’s daughter Dani is half honey badger half Amur tiger, and as much as her uncle likes to think she is all tiger, the badger genes always dominate. I liked how Charlie took Dani into her fold. There were so many characters from past books intermingled with new characters, it was hard to put the book down but also a bit of work to keep everyone straight, but the core of the story focused on a small group of honey badgers plus Shay and his brothers.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC; this is my honest review.

In the latest installment of the honey badger series we have Tock and the crew up for another round of mayhem and just over the top mischief. I will say that the story is different from the others. Not bad just different. The romance between Tock and Shay feels very much secondary to the latest trials that the ladies go through. You still have the hilariously funny characters but the romance is definitely more on the slow burn side. Their are so many characters old and new that are in this book to start the storyline of the battle that the ladies will face with the de Medici coalition that the romance gets lost which is why I only gave it a four stars. Maybe too many characters are being introduced but Ms Laurenston does a great job keeping it all together. I will say that I would also highly recommend if you haven’t read the books before this one to do so. You need to read the books in order to fully understand what is going on. Overall the story was funny and well written but light on the romance.

As always this book had me belly laughing out loud when reading! The way in which Shelly writes her female characters to have depth and comedy is amazing. The way in which the shifter world is growing and the storyline is still connected in a way that allows for new and old characters to show up and interact is just a testament to great writing!

Another kick ass installment by Laurenston in the Honey Badger shifter series. This was absolutely not my genre until a friend said “read this book!” With book #1; I’ve been hooked ever since. This book does not let down the pace of mayhem, twitchy personalities and ride or die friendships. It’s a non-stop action filled page turner. All the old favorites are here while this book focuses on Tock. While I would recommend starting with book one for your own sanity, this book well holds up the series to a high standard.

I am just constantly amazed at the storytelling of Shelley Laurenston! The character building and story arc are just top tier!! I literally laugh out loud at these conversations and situations of the characters. My only thought is I wish we could have just spent more time with Tock and Shay one on one. The Honey Badgers rule!! I cannot wait for the next book! Just excellent !

I am addicted to the Honey Badgers in both of Shelly Laurenston's series? Badger Chronicles series always leaves me smiling and counting down to the next book. I was so excited to see that Born to Be Badger was Tock's story. I didn't know what trouble the five members of the basketball team would get into but new it would be a doozy.

Tock finds love in Born to Be Badger. Hopefully he can keep on her schedule. She does love her schedules. Her watch is still her best friend but Shay is a close second. Shay's family is the bomb!!!!!

They are dealing with their sister, Natalie, who just happens to be the younger sister of Charlie, Max and Stevie Charlie has taken her in to help her adjust to have Freddie's messed up genes. Reading the struggles of her brothers had me giggling. Poor Keane struggles with her badgerness.

Things are getting very interesting in the shifter world. Tock finds herself claw deep in the mess. Soon her relatives are coming out of the woodwork. They aren't always welcomed but they definitely add a lot of drama to the story. Tock and her crew need to stop the shifters that are collecting humans to use in hunts. How whacked is that?? Born to Be Badger brings new meaning to human trafficking.

Born to Be Badger is packed full with drama that will have you reading past your bedtime. Born to Be Badger will have you crossing your fingers for Shay's siblings. They need their own series. The family dynamics is beyond hilarious. Tock and Shay put a new meaning to awkwardness with Keane and Finn all to happy to intervene and share opinions . Their dance to love had me wondering they would ever get it together.

The honey badgers are a gift that keeps giving in the author's world of shifters! Somehow the book tops it's predecessors in humor, romance and the thriller elements! Tock has been endearing in the books about her other teammates and it's lovely to see her life in detail especially her family. Shay gets almost overshadowed in the earlier book by Keane's intensity, so much so that I didn't notice he is a father. But he is the hero here front and centre!! His interactions with his daughter are adorable, Tock's nurturing side is a surprise as well! Their chemistry builds so organically, gently rather than an intense explosion, you can savor it as a reader
Definitely enjoying the De Medicis as the antagonists in this series, and who doesn't like a badass team of women going after evil. Finally, it was a treat to have Mr coyote back for a visit!

I’ve read many shifters stories, but honey bagers… that was new for me. This was my first Shelly Laurenston book, so I was surprised to see this book is written in 3rd person (I’m not sure if that’s normal for Shelly). So because of that, I did struggle a bit to read and the flow just felt off to me. Even still, Tock was funny but also a badass. And I loved how protective Shay is, while also being the relaxing calm that Tock definitely needed in her life. Cute easy going shifter romance if that’s what you’re looking for!

Freaking awesome! I love these badges, the tigers aren't too bad either. There was a bit of rehashing of past storylines so this one could definitely be read as a stand alone. However, after reading it you'd want to go back and read the pervious stories anyway.

Love the characters, the story keeps you interested and wanting more, my only question is when's the next book out?

Let me start this review by letting you know that it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. It's not a HUGE one, but just enough to make you want the next book in your hands. War is coming, and it ain't going to be pretty. But who exactly will be fighting against whom this time? That is the question.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you do, be prepared to want to read the other books in the Badger series. There is just enough backstory to keep you in the know for this one.

Well, the MacKilligan sisters and their badger besties are at it again, and it looks as if, this time, they are not going to be working alone. Yep, the big bad Malone tigers are out for revenge, too!

There is so much 'stuff' and action (some of it without reason, it seems, but it's not )packed into this book that I can't even describe it to you, or I might spoil something. Just be prepared to be annoyed at the very vague ending from people you wouldn't expect it from!

Just remember that many of these characters have been in other books and other series by this author.

If you like Shelly's books, be sure to read her new series under her other name, A.K. Aiken. The Dragon series is fun, just a little steamier, and some are better than others. Also, try to read the newest series, "The Scarred Earth Series". There are three books in it so far, and it is super!

I’ve been waiting for Tock’s and Shay’s story. This feels very much like a transition book from one storyline to the next to get us to the conclusion of the series or at least the conclusion of this plot.

My movie even though this isn’t my favorite of the series I still enjoyed it. It brought a lot in. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

This is a series that I have deeply enjoyed. So, I was thrilled again to be approved for the ARC. This series is so crazy, so completely "out there" that it makes it all the better - it really can be hilarious. Unfortunately, this book was a bit more difficult to get into for me - and I have read ALL of the previous books in this series.

By this time - we are on book 5 - there are many, many relationships established. Not only between the MacKilligan sisters, but the Van Holtzes, the Malones, the Bears...you get the picture.... The shifters have established communities, laws, enforcement teams, etc. They really are great at policing their kind and keeping their existence from the "full humans". I think it might be difficult for someone just coming into this series "cold" and trying to read this book as a stand alone. Yes, you can definitely follow along, but I think it would be extremely confusing regarding who is whom and who is an ally or an enemy (even though the honey badgers are basically on everyone's sh** list- but that's just my opinion.

I'm not sure why it was so hard for me to follow along at the beginning, it was probably just me. But, when things finally started to settle in and I realized what was going on, I just decided to hang on for the ride. This book was one of the ones that totally lives on the VERY edge of total chaos. Not that they aren't ALL full of chaos, but this one goes the extra mile.

Apparently, the "girls" (Max and her teammates) get involved on a rescue job that cuts into another groups "human trafficking" business. Because of their intervention (of course they killed all of the "bad guys"), things go from bad to worse when it is discovered that the head of this consortium was also killed. Then, war is declared on the MacKillignas (honey badgers), the Malones (Amur Tigers), and the 5 teammates (also honey badgers). It's crazy, but there is an all out war on the docks in the city. Bullets, bombs, RPG's..... That's a hard one to cover up when shifters are also changing in public and lions are tearing heads off.....(you have to already be used to the action from this series, really, it's the norm....)

So, things develop from there and it is definitely interesting. One of the things that I particularly liked about this book was the inclusion of Shay and his daughter Dani. The main couple in this book is Tock and Shay and Dani was such a cute and darling addition. She is 10 years old (a tiger cub) with a predilection for math and she is a daughter who has her daddy and her uncles wrapped around her little finger. I totally LOVED their interactions.

So- this book is filled with non stop action - yes, it is mostly gruesome but somehow it is what we have come to expect. The honey badgers are exactly at their level of bats**t craziness...well, maybe a bit more crazy than normal. Charlie ends up doing quite a LOT of baking...(for those in the know, you know what that means) and the build up leads to a very unique climax.

Is this the best book in the series? No. But I did enjoy it and will definitely be looking out for book 6.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Born to Be Badger, the 5th book in the honey badger chronicles, has Emily “Tock” Lepstein-Jackson and Shay Malone taking center stage. Shay is of course one of the Malone brothers we've met in previous books and Tock is one of Max MacKilligan's basketball 'teammates.'

This one is a barrel of badger laughs from the first page of the Prologue where we are introduced to Tock's parents (OMG, I love her parents and just wish we had seen more of them in the story.) This is a short BTS glimpse of young Tock and her basketball teammates and it is everything.

Fast forward eleven years to present day and let the chaos begin. It's lions, and tigers and bears... and BADGERS!!!! and It's the usual cast of characters, plus a few new family members are added to the insanity (Tock's fam and Shay's 10 years old daughter, Dani) and some new friends, which feel like old friends.

Of course, Charlie, Max and Stevie (plus their mates) are included... it's nice that in each book, the original, storyline plays thru... the MacKilligan sisters are at the core and the other main characters are able to tell their stories with that thru thread. It's a very familiar feeling and each book flows from that well.

Loved this one, as I have all the others... can't wait for the next Badger book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

"We never stop. We never back off. And we never lose with grace. The honey badger motto."
Loads of action. Lots of laughs. A little romance.
Love, love, love: Dani, Shay's Daughter; Dogs affinity for Charlie, Max (because why not)
Ok: Shay and Tock. We learned a lot about Tock and her family, though I would have loved more of her parents, her poor parents LOL. Not too much about Shay except he's a great father.
Other: There were a lot of new characters, honestly gobsmacked Freddy didn't show up. I had a lot of confusion on locations. I did not know where anyone was at any time unless they were at the Badger House on Bear Street or the Hamptons. The timeline of this series of books may be less than a year from Charlie's story, so a lot happens quickly and on top of each other. This is not a stand alone book.
I found this a great continuation of the Honey Badger world and the Mcgillian sisters. I'll always want more! 4/4.5 stars.
NetGalley ARC

OMG! I so love these insane badgers. They are pure chaos. And there are so many of them. They are the one shifter that all other shifters avoid out of fear and keeping their possessions. The story truly brings out the insanity they bring and the chaos they leave behind. The story does have two main characters but it also focuses on so many others. Tock and Shay are the two. Tock is the badger and Shay is the tiger that decided to follow her. From destruction and death to love and dedication of friends and family. The story has it all. All the characters are amazing and I definitely can’t wait to see what destruction they bring next.

Emily “Tock” Lepstein-Jackson is sent off on a mission by her grandmother. Good thing Shay Malone tagged along since he managed to pull her out of harms way. But that good deed managed to get his throat cut - thankfully right in a shifter hospital. Upon a lot of digging, this ambush was part of a larger pattern that seems to link an attack on honey-badgers and the search for who killed the Malone's father. Plenty of mayhem, over-the-top action and so much baking happens as this thrill ride careens to its end. Of course, the tale does not end in this title, Shelly Laurenston has two more teammates to pair up before she ties up this complicated tale.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale. I have been eagerly awaiting its release!