This was completed as part of Rollback Week, the monthly reading challenge hosted by Under the Covers Book Blog.
Wolf With Benefits Series: The Pride #8 Publication Date: MArch 26, 2013
Pages: 421
Format: eBook
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There’s nothing like a good-ol’-boy wolf. And ace security expert Ricky Lee Reed serves, protects and seduces with all the right moves…
Sure, Toni Jean-Louis Parker has to be the responsible oldest sister to a crazy-brilliant clan of jackal siblings. But now she’s cutting loose for some hot, sweaty, no-commitments fun—and the sexy, slow-talking, swift-moving predator assigned to keep her family safe is just the right thing to shapeshift her love life into overdrive. Trouble is, he’s starting to get all obsessive wolf on her every time he looks in her direction…
Getting serious about anyone isn’t in Ricky Lee Reed’s plans. Hell, even now he doesn’t really have a plan—outside of catching whomever is threatening this dangerously brilliant family. But the more he sees of Toni, the more he’s howling for her. And whatever it takes to convince her that what they have is everything, well, this wily wolf is down for the sizzling chase…
This is my first ever read by Shelly Laurenston and if this what I can expect from the other books in the Pride series, then count me in!
Antonella “Toni” Jean-Louis Parker is the eldest of eleven kids (or would that be pups?) of the jackal shifter variety. As if that was not bad enough, all ten of her younger siblings are prodigies – in music, ballet, sculpture, art and math. Toni was resigned to being the average sibling and de facto manager slash wrangler of all things prodigy. Now she’s got a chance to break away from her family and get a career of her own.
When Ricky Lee Reed sees Toni he thinks, “Hmm, she’s cute, pretty hair, good for a few dates, maybe just a little fun”. Unfortunately for him, Toni is having none of that. Well, he is a very patient wolf and knows all good things come to those who wait. They really do because he gets his chance when he is hired to protect Toni as she travels to Siberia. Away from the constant demands of her siblings, Toni cuts loose and indulges in lots of hot and dirty action between the sheets with Ricky Lee.
This book was filled with fascinating characters, entertaining dialogue and the humor was the dry and sarcastic kind, my favorite! Even though I have not read the preceding seven books, there was enough information on the characters to let me get into the story. Ricky Lee is a laid-back, drawling southern guy, the kind that you don’t see coming as he slides right under your defenses with his easy-going charm and I loved him! He totally complemented and grounded energizer Toni, who was always on the go. The interactions between the siblings were too funny, but the standout character for me was Kyle.
Yes, in a romantic story my favorite character was an eleven-year old boy. I loved reading everything he said and wanted more!
One of my favorites:
It must be hard,” Kyle mused to the bobcat. “One of the superior cats. Revered and adored throughout history as far back as the ancient Egyptians. And yet here you sit. At a desk. A common drone. Taking orders from lowly canines and bears. Do your ancestors call to you from the great beyond, hissing their disappointment to you? Do they cry out in despair at where you’ve ended up despite such a lofty bloodline? Or does your hatred spring from the feline misery of always being alone? Skulking along, wishing you had a mate or a pack or pride to call your own? But all you have is you . . . and your pathetic job as a drone? Does it break your feline heart to be so . . . average? So common? So . . . human?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that if an eleven-year old told me that, I would be crying in my coffee, too.
I know the book is billed as a romance, but the antics of the characters were so hilarious that the fact that the romance between Toni and Ricky Lee took a backseat was not very noticeable. Their relationship actually bloomed around the dysfunction that surrounded them! I’ve got to say that the females in this series are some serious badasses. I definitely recommend you check this and the rest of the series out.
SERIES ORDER
#0.5 Howl For It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#1 The Mane Event: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#2 The Beast in Him: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#3 The Mane Attraction: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#4 The Mane Squeeze: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#5 Beast Behaving Badly: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#6 Big Bad Beast: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#7 Bear Meets Girl: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
#9 Bite Me: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
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