I love the Honey Badger Chronicles and I am SO HAPPY Ms. Laurenston continued this series. Since I received this book, I have read it probably about 30 times already. Is it possible for me to give it a 6 out of 5 stars? I feel that way about every single book in this series though. Whilst this book can be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it. I recommend reading from book one. This way, all the characters make sense. This series keeps the same central characters and brings in just a few new ones as needed. The triad is Charlie, Max, and Stevie. These three sisters bring about trouble like no other. This story's focus is not about them. Instead it is about Tock, one of Max's friends. Or shall we say, "teammates".

If this is a book is about honey badgers, why is there a black and white tiger on the cover? Well... the Malone brothers, specifically the Black Malone brothers are involved again. They came into the picture in the tail end of book 3 (Max) and featured in book 4 with Mads. I love the Malone brothers. They are the definition of angry cat. They are easily pissed off and are a ruthless apex predator.

Yes, this story contains a bit of romance with Tock and one of the Malone brothers getting together. It is more a thin thread giving the story a bit of colour. This book is more plot driven with trying to figure out why Tock and her teammates have been targeted. As it turns out, there are several missteps from the previous books that have now borne rotten fruit. It is a doozy.

But what is it that makes me come back to read this book over and over again? It's the humour. And the absolute irreverence honey badgers have for authority. Honey badgers are hands down my favourite shifters in this world of shifters Ms. Laurenston created. There are other series that all tie into this world. I have read almost all of them and this series is the one that keeps pulling me back. Maybe because it isn't about the romance and it is all about figuring out who needs to be killed next. The amount of causal killing Tock and her teammate partake in, is truly impressive. To be such BAMF makes me so envious. They are so virtual indestructible. Although, there is a subplot in this story that may carry into the next couple of books in how to kill honey badgers.

This book is not to be missed if you like wacky humour, sociopathic females, and ruthless cutting through bullshit. This paranormal suspense is recommended to all honey badger lovers.

Well, first let me start with a warning, DO NOT START THIS SERIES HERE. I am not even sure if you can start this series with book 1 since they appeared in other series before they got their own series. This was a typical badger book, lots of laugh out loud moments, a cast of characters that is so large it is hard to keep straight in your head, a plot that only makes sense to other insane maniacs and I loved it. The fact that in the middle of all this insanity and chaos the author works a bit of a romance into the story just makes you wonder about your own sanity since I loved it. These books are pure insanity, violence and comedy .... a combination you are not going to find in many other places. Badger books are the ultimate escapism since hardly any of the actual characters die and the characters that do manage to get killed are ones you probably never heard of before a paragraph before they died. If all this sounds like a terrible book, you have to get the proper mindset to enjoy them which means I must be in need of a bit of professional help since I have been loving these books and the ones prior for over a decade now all the way back to the "Pride" books. To keep this short I am just saying it get an easy 4 Star rating from me, I enjoyed it but since I always feel a bit confused when I finish one of these books and the ending left me with questions, I can't give it 5 Stars

Born to be Badger is another amusing addition to this hilarious series. In this book we get the very time oriented honey badger, Emily “Tock” Meyerson-Jackson and the single father Amur tiger shifter, Shay Malone. These two end up working together when they both are after the same people. There are some shifters that are trafficking humans who also happened to be responsible for killing Shay’s father and made an attempt on Tock’s life. It may not have started as a partnership, but the tiger shifters were determined and had a need to seek their revenge. What ensues is so much hilarity, with a little bit of action, drama and suspense and lots of great family and friends’ involvement. Overall, I really enjoyed their story.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I've loved Shelly Laurenston for a long time, and I've read all her books. Every single one and while I've enjoyed them all to varying degrees, the one constant is the found family, good action sequences, and the always snarky, at times violent, humor. It is all in abundance here. What I will say is the romance feels very much like a sprinkle to the overarching storyline, not the main layer cake, so you'll need to be more into that than this book's main couple. Either way, I like this and I'm looking forward to what's coming next.

Shelly Laurenston will forever be on my autobut/autorent/autoARC. I love everything about the shifter series she built out. It has all the workings of the perfect contemporary paranormal genre with out loud laughs and steamy moments sprinkled in.

Tock Meyerson-Jackson is the no nonsense honey badger who's mission is to find and exterminate the people who are trafficking humans for prey. Shay Malone, one of the infamous Malone tiger brothers, hops along for the ride and the entertainment along the way. What ensues is a bunch of badger chaos, big cat antics, and hilariously crazy situations and one liners that keep the reader both chuckling and wondering how funny Laurenston is in real life.

One other thing I will say about the world Laurenston built out, it is wonderfully inclusive. If you haven't added this to your TBR, please do! If you're looking for a light-hearted quick read, add this to your list! Thank you thank you NetGalley & Kensington books for giving me this ARC. Please let me have the next LOL!

Born to Be Badger is a fun action-packed romp that might be a little too episodic for readers who haven’t followed along closely. This fast-paced adventure has comedy and romance. Long-time fans will be delighted. Newcomers may find themselves struggling to keep up.

The next chapter of the Honey Badger Chronicles does not dissapoint... more thrills, more fights, more rage baking - what moer culd you ask for!

This tells the tale of Tock and Shay Malone but also continues the existing story and the troubles of the McKilligan sisters... this book very much leaves me waiting for the next in the series

Honey Badgers Forever! Here's to the best dysfunctional pack of honey badgers ever! I have never had as much fun as I have read about the McKilligan sisters and the girls of Max's Shifter basketball team. Every book in this series is more exciting, funny, and touching in its own weird way. Tok the time-obsessed honey badger from the basketball team is the focus of this book along with Shay Malone of the Amur tiger Malones we have met previously. Shay is the middle Malone brother, single father to math-obsessed Dani, and clueless owner of three Tosa Inus (a very very large Japanese Mastiff). Someone is trying to kill our honey badgers and they have got to find out who. To do this all the top honey badgers are going to have to work together to make it happen. All of this works together trust me. But be prepared from page one to be on one exciting honey badger-fueled adventure of super tough women, very large tigers, and very dastardly evil shifters who really underestimate the honey badgers' resiliency and toughness to kill. I really hated for this book to end but it's been worth the wait for this installment in the Honey Badger Chronicles. I can't even pick a favorite in this series because they are all so delightfully funny in their own way you can't pick a favorite. Now the wait begins for the next one...but it will be worth it.

Gave a ARC copy for an honest review. Shelly Laurenston always blows us away. This was a different pace the first half of the story was a lot of background and scene setup. Didn’t really get into the couple and their dynamic until half way through. But once you get in there she has you totally captivated. I love the honey badger series. Shay and Tock were amazing and I love the family dynamic with Tock and Danni, Shay’s daughter.

I always love Shelley laurenston she’s such a comfort author. Her books are always fun and lighthearted. It was a quick easy read that tied into the the rest of the badger books like usual. We get introduced to some more psycho family characters but we expect that. The romance didn’t happen for over half of the book but it was still cute. All in all a solid feel good read.

No, no, NO, you did not just end it that way!

Ah, but she did. I love Shelly Laurenston's shifter books, especially the Honey-Badger series. I call them "palate cleansers" and love to read them between other books to just shake my brain loose again. They're just good, irreverent fun. A solid addition to the series.

Shelly has outdone herself again. The newest badger book is outstandingly funny. All your favorite characters come out to play in this book as well as new ones. Secrets are discovered/revealed and more are to come.

Another laugh out, can't put down chaos fueled honey badger adventure. This time featuring Emily “Tock”
Meyerson-Jackson and football Shay Malone. Plenty of cameos from the series will make this a fan fav. My only issue is the ending. I won't spoil but it's a wee bit shocking.

It begins with mystery and action, and of course the humour this author is characteristic for, and continues the whole book.
Shay and Tock are acquaintances, then friends and finally lovers. It’s a building romance. They’re both great apart but together they’re the best, I liked them more than the previous couple. Shay has a 10 year old daughter that loves maths. Tock gets along with her great, and the mother is not a problem (there’s no drama at all with her).
The main characters are Shay and Tock but there’re several POV more.
We get more Malone's brothers, more Charlie, Stevie and Max, and also Nat. And the Team! We meet more family from each side of the main characters, and discover who killed the Black Malone's patriarch and why.
There’s lots of mystery. We get some answers but also more questions. The main story ends on a cliffhanger, but the romance is HFN.
Can’t wait for the next book! (Pretty sure what couple is next and I'm eager to read that).

Safety: safe, neither virgins, no details on their pasts, no OP drama.

"Born to Be Badger" by Shelly Laurenston is a riotous addition to the Honey Badger Chronicles, offering an engaging mix of witty humor, a captivating storyline, and a standout cast of characters. Laurenston's comedic prowess shines as the book delivers laugh-out-loud moments, quirky one-liners, and hilarious situations that make it a sheer joy to read. The characters are expertly developed, with distinct personalities and compelling backstories that draw you in. Their interactions create a close-knit community filled with found family, making the story both heartwarming and comical.

Laurenston's world-building is immersive, painting a vivid picture of a paranormal world where honey badger shapeshifters and other supernatural beings coexist. The attention to detail enhances the overall experience and adds depth to the narrative. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, with well-paced action, romance, and humor, making it a well-rounded and engaging read. The chemistry between the main characters, Emily “Tock” Lepstein-Jackson and Shay Malone, adds depth to the narrative. Moreover, the happily ever after ending neatly ties up the story, leaving readers with a sense of satisfaction. "Born to Be Badger" is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance with humor and memorable characters, promising a book hangover that will have you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

This was so much fun I love it love the series it was you laughing at the craziness that’s happening but holding your attention that you can’t put down or look away I enjoy this book so much it makes you want to reread the whole series again

Rated 4.5 Stars

What a crazy trip Born to Be Badger was. There were no dull moments just action, action and more action. There was also suspense, a little bit of romance and a whole heap of craziness mixed in with chaos. These honey badgers know how to entertain. They had me laughing out loud and snort laughing at their antics. This book was an absolute joy to read. I loved it and so cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment. I definitely recommend it as well as the previous books in the series.

I received this book from Netgalley for a honest review.

This the fifth book in the Honey Badger series by Shelly Laurenston, this is Tock's story. I laughed a lot with these gals and I was sad when it was over. But not too worry I know there is at least one one more, fingers crossed. I have reread this series numerous times and I always come away smiling.

I still don’t understand why people haven’t learnt to leave badger shifters alone 💀, BUT anyway, thanks to them we get to laugh.

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Badgers and Watches
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Dani
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Normal
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Adventure shifter romance
4.3/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Wild shifters with flirting
~ Adventure & high stakes action
~ A cozy-ish mystery feel in a few big cities
~ Single but SPICY instance
~ Found family
~ Sibling & friendship loyalty
~ Amusing banter on many levels

“Tock”, the time obsessed, only child, responsible badger shifter with the scary gangster grandma, is being targeted by some people who REALLY know no better. Not only does she have her own gang of psycho thieving badger shifter sisters, is friends with Max, sister of the freakishly strong & determined Charlie, & a love interest of an Amur tiger shifter — but her badger sisters are related to violent freaks & she also happens to be her psycho manipulative gangster granny’s fav 😬 = ALL dumb ways to die for the people targetting her.

🌿 Reading Shelly Laurenston is a guaranteed chuckle & delight for me, & this was no different. The world these characters exist in is broad & although these books can be read as standalones, I recommend getting to know the backstory of the other characters, it makes it that much more enjoyable.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ The chosen ‘island’ :( ruined that expectation for me 😭
~ An in-between story that makes me want to know more NOW (although SL does try to leave it settled)

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

Shelly Laurenston is the queen of romantic comedy paranormal romance. While this book didn't have as much romance or heat as her others, the comedy is gold! I highly recommend this series.