Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurentston – Funniest Shifter Series Evah!
3 Nov, 2009 in Book Reviews, Paranormal Romance 13 Comments
Shelly Laurenston Mane Squeeze
Book Genre: Paranormal Romance(320 pages)
Published: BRAVA (October 27, 2009)
Rating: 4 1/2 Smokin’ Smooches
This book was purchased by me
As my college English professor once told me, it’s harder to make people laugh than cry. This was after he gave me a C, but that is another post. This book made me laugh-out- loud. I had happy tears coming down my face. This also could have been due to my antibiotics, as I more than once wanted to swing in circles and shout, “weeee”. This book picks-up after Mane Attraction, (Sissy Mae and Mitch Shaw’s story), where we were introduced to Gwen, who is Mitch’s younger sister and she also happens to be a tigon (half lion half tiger). I felt Mane Attraction kind of missed the chemistry boat, but Mane Squeeze hit the spot for me.
Lions don’t do forever…or monogamy. Bears are shifters not to be f’ed with and don’t play well with others.
Gwen is a tough gal from Philly who indulges her feminine side by painting her fingernails the color of the Philadelphia Eagles. Lock (Lachlan MacRyrie of the Clan MacRyrie) is a seven foot tall grizzly bear from the suburbs of New Jersey. He has an unhealthy obsession for all things honey and is someone not to mess with. They cross paths (again) while Gwen is running away from a pack of hybrid hating shifters and smacks into Lock causing them to tumble off a cliff. Gwen is dragged taken to the hospital despite her adamant refusal due to organ thieves (damn A&E special). And Lock wants to kiss her and make her boo-boos all better. Gwen’s overbearing brother Mitch rains on the romance parade by kicking Lock out without getting Gwen’s digits! Their paths cross again when Lock’s father is in dire need of a plumber and Gwen appears making Lock’s heart pound. He’s is so not going to let her get away this time.
Can two different shifter species make love work? Will Mitch get his way and keep Gwen and Lock apart? With Gwen’s BFF Blayne and the rest of the shifter community, Mitch has his work cut out of him. Lock, Gwen, and Mitch have no idea that mission “bear-cat” is active.
His mother was in love. Lock knew it as soon as she set eyes on Gwen that she’d fallen head over heels in love.
First off, Gwen was dressed “correctly.” Sturdy work boots, no cute shoes. Curly hair held off her face with a headband, no cute hairstyle more concerned with glamour rather than functionality. Cargo pants with lots of pockets, no cute jeans with a thong hanging out. Long sleeved Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt that had seen better days but still did the job, no “I’m your sexy plumber” cute t-shirt in pink.
My Thoughts
I’m really not doing this book justice as I come no where near close to this book’s funny meter. Sometimes when I read a more chick-lit PNR book I’m left feeling a little unfulfilled. Or, if there is too much humor the characters sometimes lack the sexy chemistry and lean more towards a ‘friendzone’ type of romance. Not the case with this story. The reappearance of my favorite character from Beast In him, Jessie Ann, is hilarious. Not to mention Mitch and the rest of the shifter community.
I thought the romance really worked for this odd duo, Lock is a sweet, gentle giant – who calls Gwen Mr. Mittens when he’s feeling cheeky. Gwen is a tough, no nonsense, Philly girl that can’t resist Lock’s nice guy appeal.
I had so many favorite scenes in this book that they desevered a brief mention.
a. Lock in a KILT!
b. Gwen and Blayne as roller derby girls
c. Mission ‘bear-cat’ slide show with Mitch and his air guitar
d. Mitch waking Gwen up via his gnarly morning breath
e. Lock putting Mitch and brother Brendon in unconscious head locks
f. Jessie Ann many appearances
g. Lock’s lips are like fingers leading to many happy-gams galore
What shifter boyfriend is sexier Tigers, Bears, Wolves, Lions, or Hyenas?
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Because you crack me up on a daily basis – if this book makes you laugh I am definitely going to have to get it!! Do you think I have to start with Mane Attraction or can I jump right into this book?
I need to read this book! I haven’t had a good laugh in a while.
@Mandi You my friend crack me up
I think if you start with Beast in Him (my #1 fav) you shouldn’t be too lost. These books are a little on the spendy side FYI b/c of the publisher.
@Marie K this is my go to book for lols. I used to pop in Bridget’s Jones diary for a happy feel good boost, now I’m going to use Mane Squeeze as my feel good pill.
Because you’ve already pimped this series to me the first book is already on its way. If you laugh, I laugh…that’s just how it is. And wolves rock my world as far as fic boyfriends go. Although Quinn the weretiger in the Sookie series was hot.
@Fiction Vixen I have a confession I haven’t read the Sookie series (yet). I know, how embarrassing a book blogger who hasn’t read Charlene Harris!
I love this series. The humor so often seems like just the kind of uh, caca, that any smart-mouthed person would throw around. I’ve read all Laurenston’s shifter stories and they’re on my go-to-’cause-I-really-need-a-mood-boost list.
When you say it’s funny I definitely have to buy it.
Loved your review!
There’s kilt action?! Oh, I’m so there!!
Thanks for the awesome review and recommendation, K.C.!
@Sewicked There were so many lol moments in this book, I got a side ache.
@Susi I was also on antibiotics when I read this book, but I still think I would have laughed just as hard if I wasn’t.
@VampFanGirl Yessss, for Halloween Lock is forced to dress up in a kilt. That alone was one of my fav highlights!
Looks like a sexy fun read. This is definitely one to keep in mind. I’ve put myself on book restriction until I’ve shaved down my TBR a bit. Love your reviews!
@Donna Oh nos! You are on a “book restriction”?! Makes sense though, I’m hoping December is a slower release month than Nov. so I can catch up and read some books that other bloggers reviewed.
Let’s accept everybody for who they already are, please…