The Mane Squeeze (The Pride Series Book 4)

I devoured the other books from Shelly and didn't mind at all that this one was by far the most expensive one. But I was very dissappointed . Way too many distracting little stories going on... little facets about the heroes of the book that somehow do not help getting a better idea of who they are but rather distract from the main thread.
Discombobulated I guess is the word that would most fit this book. I will most certainly look for more books from Shelly but will make an effort to first read a sample chapter before buying something now based on the fun that I had with the other books.

Just when I feared every single shifter in the world of the Pride series was an over-the-top, bizarre, or arrogant joke, Shelly Laurenston proves me wrong. Only HALF of this couple fits the bill. Yes, tigon shifter Gwen is violent, bawdy and a bit, er, low class. But the hero, Lock, is actually kind of normal. At least, as normal as a guy who shifts into a grizzly bear can be. This is progress.

You may remember Gwen from the earlier books in the series. She is Mitch's half-sister from Philly. I mention her hometown, because it's brought up so often in the book, it must be very, very important. Anyhoo, she is now moving to New York to join a business venture with best friend --and fellow hybrid outcast-- Blayne. As the story begins, the two women are attacked by some vicious wolves --and they run to Lock for cover. Gwen remembers him from a friend's wedding (Smitty & Jess from The Beast in Him) where he stepped in to save her from a fight. She figures he could save her again... and he does, but she is still injured in the skirmish.

The two forge a connection that day, but it's not until months later that their relationship is rekindled, thanks in no small part to some friendly meddling by Blayne. These two are so different, yet they strike a real chord with each other. I liked Lock much more than any of the other heroes we have met in the series. He is humble and unassuming, even though he is one of the biggest and baddest shifters out there. He is earnest and genuine in his feelings for Gwen and he doesn't take shortcuts in their relationship.

Gwen is somewhat less appealing. She's not all that different from Ronnie, Sissy May, or the other farcical characters we have met already. She's always spoiling for a fight; she loves to talk trash; blah blah. Just instead of making her hillbilly, the author makes her "street." She does soften around Lock, though, and that is probably her saving grace.

There's a bit of an external conflict going on with a family feud, but the romance is the real draw. Gwen and Lock really work in an "opposites attract" sort of way. The series' trademark humor is still present; so is the smoking hot sex. And I feel like we got a pretty good set-up for a Dee and Ric story, which intrigues me.

I think this has been my favorite installment so far.

Rating: B

The Mane Squeeze
Pride # 4
By:Shelly Laurenston

5 stars

Reviewed by:Angels
Format:Kindle/Mp3/Paperback/Audio
Published: Brava
Source: Purchased Copy Gene:Paranormal Romance

Book Blurb/Synopsis-

Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O'Neill has learned how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy in the form of a massive Grizzly shifter? Especially one with a rather unhealthy fetish for honey, moose, and…uh…well, her. Yet despite his menacing ursine growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, protects her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don't believe in forever.

At nearly seven feet tall, Lock is used to people responding to him in two ways: screaming and running away. Gwen-half lioness, half tigress, all kick-ass-does neither. She's sexy beyond belief and smart as hell, but she's a born protector. Watching out for the family and friends closest to her but missing the fact that she's being stalked by a murderous enemy who doesn't like hybrids…and absolutely hates Gwen. Lock probably shouldn't get involved, but he will. Why? Because this is Gwen-and no matter what the hissing, roaring, drape destroying feline says about not being ready to settle down, Lock knows he can't simply walk away. Not when she's come to mean absolutely everything to him.

Our Review

I have been reading this series and absolutely love it.I love all the characters and that they all carry on from one book to the next. I find that I really love and like the way that this writer writes.This author has me laughing from the beginning to the end of each and every book.Love the lines that she uses also thinking hum well said.Shelly's sexual encounter scenes a very erotic and very hot along with all the HOT men she has you drooling over wishing that was you !LOL. The aspect that I like about the book and the series so far is that fact that she mixes all character's together like grizzly bears. she-wolfs, hyenas, wild dogs, tigons (mixed breeds) etc and having those characters search and find their mates among other breeds. The characters are strong , like-able and very protective of others and their mates.Well written and a very enjoyable story. A recommended read to all.

4 stars

This was a very good story. I really liked Gwen and Lock was great. This is a really good series and this book was a good addition to it.

Gwen is a crossbreed shifter, being a combination of a Lion and a Tiger. She is from Pennsylvania and is the half-sister of Mitch (from book #3 The Mane Attraction). She lives with her mother's pride but isn't truly part of the pride. Unfortunately, her family is pretty much always trying to run her life which doesn't make things easy. She and her best friend, Blayne end up in New York for a visit when her life gets turned upside-down.

Lock is a grizzly shifter. He has a pretty sedate life and enjoys it. He does software work as a job but does woodworking as a hobby (but dreams of doing it full time). Lock doesn't think he's interested in a woman but when he meets Gwen for the first time, he's strongly attracted to her. Unfortunately, interfering family causes problems when he tries to get close to her.

Lock and Gwen first meet at Smitty and Jess' wedding. The meeting is brief but makes an impact. When they meet again, it's during a stressful situation and Lock helps Gwen and protects her. Unfortunately, Gwen's brother (actually the half-brother of her half-brother Mitch but no blood relation) Brendan decides to take it upon himself to chase Lock off and "protect" Gwen. To be honest, Brendan and Ronnie (his mate) seemed put in the book just to cause issues for Gwen. Brendan and Ronnie behaved horribly and they did nothing but piss me off with their actions for around the first 20% of the book. Due to their interference, Lock and Gwen don't see each other for a while and Gwen thinks Lock broke a promise he made to her so she's not happy with him. During this time, Gwen has moved to the New York area and is running a plumbing business with Blayne. It's a plumbing job that brings Gwen and Lock back in contact with each other and after a few more meetings, Lock has decided that Gwen is the woman he wants.

Lock knows he'll have to sneak a relationship up on Gwen because she'd reject a straight out push for one. Lock does very well at being very sneaky about getting her to want to see more of him. What they don't realize, is that Blayne, the Wild Dog pack and a few other allies are behind the scenes trying to help him get together with Gwen. While she's attracted to Lock, she just wants to sleep with him. Lock refuses right off the bat because he wants more from her. This doesn't last very long though and Gwen soon finds out what's so great about sex with bears (can we say magic lips?). Lock slowly reals Gwen in (with help from their friends) while they deal with multiple issues, including Gwen's family interfering in their relationship and a family feud that Gwen didn't know about that ends up bring trouble (and danger) to her multiple times throughout the book. Through the troubles, Lock and Gwen grow closer, admitting their feelings for each other and solidifying their relationship. In the end, they work through their issues and Gwen and Lock are happy together, starting a sweet HEA.

This was a very good story. I liked Gwen and enjoyed seeing her make a life for herself away from her family and with Lock. Lock is so sweet and I loved him (I'd have loved to see him in his Halloween costume!!!) and was happy that he found happiness with Gwen. As usual, the secondary characters in the book are great (outside of Brendan and Ronnie being annoying at the beginning of the book) and help make the story interesting. I can't wait to read book #5, which will be Blayne's book. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up. :D

* note - I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator did a good job.

There are not many funny and loopy paranormal books that will have you laughing out loud and rolling your eyes at the same time. The Main Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston is definitely one of them.

Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie is not really that interested in social events. But, since this seven foot tall grizzly bear shape-shifter from Long Island, New York has no choice and must to attend his good friend's wedding, he'll suck it up and pretend to enjoy himself. Lock enjoys the simple things in life, such as catching salmon in the river and foraging for honey. He feels uncomfortable in most public situations because everyone around him runs the other way when he enters the room. It all comes down to Lock being able to shift into a ten-foot, fifteen-hundred pound, silver-tipped grizzly bear whenever he feels like it. (Silver-tipped because of his hair color.) This latest wedding has all types of guests from shifters that include lions to wolves and other breeds. And when alcohol is consumed, things do tend to get out of hand. Lock is expecting some brawls and is not surprised when he notices a hybrid ready to pounce on some lions who turn their nose up at her. Lock is intrigued by this gold-eyed beauty with a real dirty mouth.

Gwen O'Neill is a tigon, a half tiger, half lion hybrid from Philadelphia who is ready to fight anyone who makes fun of her. She puts up with enough from her brothers, who treat her as if she can't take care of herself, and a mother who is always criticizing her job and life in general. When Gwen first meets Lock, she finds him annoying. He's from Jersey, after all, and seems to be a big pushover. There's no way he can keep up with a girl like her.

Lock is very interested in Gwen even though bears and other furry animals usually don't mix. He comes to her rescue when she and her best friend Blayne, a happy-go-lucky wolf bitch, are attacked by a group of she-wolves on neutral territory. Gwen is hurt protecting Blayne and Lock takes her to the hospital. Gwen has a deep-rooted fear that the doctors will steal her organs. Lock finds Gwen to be too much of a handful, but there is something so sexy and endearing about her that he can't get enough of. And when Gwen and Blayne move to New Jersey to start up their plumbing business, Lock will have even more drama to deal with, such as trying to figure out who wants to harm Gwen and keeping her brothers from attacking him. Gwen adores this big grizzly and would love nothing more than to call him her own. She just has to keep her brothers and mother in the dark because they are just too noisy for their own good.

I have never met a bunch of insane-acting characters who curse like truck drivers and will drop everything to fight just because someone can't keep their insults to themselves. Ms. Laurenston makes sure to combine humor and snark in some outlandish ways, such as Blayne joining a roller derby team and getting beat up because of her new hobby. And the funny thing is, Blayne goes back for more while her friends, who are a bloodthirsty bunch, watch from the stands.

The main reason to read The Mane Squeeze is because of Lock. He is the ultimate beta hero and will have you sighing from the very first page. He's a great partner and love interest for Gwen, and their interactions and banter are witty and too funny for words. And when these two hit the sheets, it's passionate and fun. Ms. Laurenston has given Lock a great skill with his mouth that you'll not want to miss and one Gwen almost faints in pleasure over.

There is a bit of a mystery concerning Gwen's mother, Roxy, and a nemesis of hers who wants revenge for something Roxy did in the past. Because of that, Gwen becomes a victim but won't go down without putting up a fight. And because there are so many insults and craziness being thrown from all sides, it made my head spin more than once. At some points I felt the characters were a bit too immature in the way they handled things and I would have preferred fewer secondary characters and more of an emphasis on Gwen and Lock.

Even with some wacky and some eye-rolling antics from the characters, I found The Main Squeeze to be a fun, sexy story where the grizzly bear and his tigon can find happiness in one another's arms.

Katiebabs

Shifter Grizzlies have a reputation that sends other shifters - wolves, wild dogs, lions, hyenas -- running for cover. But all our New Jersey-born shifter hero Loch wants to do is find a nice stream filled with salmon (preferably covered in honey) and make furniture by hand. That's not too much to ask, is it? Then he meets Gwen, a Philly tigon (lion-tiger hybrid) and his quiet world disappears. Philly girls, shifter or not, are high maintenance, love to talk, and will argue either side of any question just for the heck of it. Bears study things, ponder, and then make a decision. How can these two opposities become a couple? I can only offer you a clue -- think Roller Derby. (For those unenlighted among the readers, the sport of Roller Derby is actually mayhem on wheels with minimal rules. Add in female shifters making up opposing teams, inter-species feuds, and then eliminate any rules and you have the focus of this story.) Like all Laurenston books, the characters are not sweet, but edgy and sometimes flat out uncouth. Loch, however, is her gentlest hero yet -- if you ignore his habit of flinging annoying lions 50 feet in the air or dragging them around like a baby blanket.

Philadelphia street smart Gwen O'Neill is a hybrid shapeshifter of the lion-tiger combo. Suburban Lachlin "Lock" McRyrie is a calm purebred bear who is almost seven feet of muscle. These two are from opposite walks of life, but opposites attract at least in this case.

Gwen rejects their obvious desire for one another as she prefers the single life and also acts as protector to her loved ones. Besides which being inner city, she feels the burb is not strong enough for her. However, Lock shows his inner strength when someone commits hate-crimes trying to hurt his loved one Gwen apparently for being a hybrid.

The latest Mane urban romantic fantasy (see The Mane Event and The Mane Attraction) is a fabulous entry in a wonderful series. The story line is fast paced from the first meeting when the ferocious female basically growls at the gentle giant to get out of her heart and never slows down especially going over a mountain. Character driven by the lead couple and a nasty racist, fans will enjoy this fine tale while wondering whether the couple should buy Venetian blinds.

Harriet Klausner

Although as a fellow sorta Philly girl I wanted to smack Lock for his comment about Philly girls being pain in the asses... Jersey boy needs to keep his mouth shut!!!! After Jersey gives us Snookie he has noooo room to talk!!!! Lock and Gwen' story was so good and hysterical. And my Shaw boys had me tearing up from laughing to much....... Although I am finding Ronnie to back a bit of a bully I am starting not to like her... she is starting to not be worth my Brandon. Good read .... Can't wait to find out what Dee is discovering that had me very intrigued.

As usual, this is a funny, sexy and sarcastic book. I loved it. I have added this author to my favorites list. The characters are growing more and more with each new book. This book moved quickly. The story was full of surprises and the main characters were so lovable. A must read. I laughed so hard I had tears rolling down my face !

Awesome. Freaking hilarious. I just want to fill my review with her wonderful one liners but I'll let you read them for yourself. Re-reading the whole series and forgot how wonderful this book is. There's nothing in this genre like Laurenston. Gwen and Lock are just great as a couple. Such a wonderful book. BTW, anyone else intrigued by 'grabby-toes'? Classic!

Another great addition to this series. I just love th characters and how the previous characters make appearances in the other books. In love them all. This made for a great read. My only complaint is the price. Currently listed at $8.96. Ouch. It's not even that long.

I loved this book! Laurenston is able to bring sex and humor together to make this a MUST HAVE! With an excellent plot and scenarios, it is able to hold your interest, while at the same time make you laugh out loud. I love the irreverence to the mighty "King of the Jungle"! This series is one I have read multiple times.

If you have never read a Shelly Laurenston book - then you are missing out. I love her stories - they are full of humor and romance. Every heroine is well developed with attitude and they fall for some pretty amazing heroes. Please take the time to read her pride series books - you wont be disappointed.

Cute story.

Quick read, shifter series. It wasn't overwhelmingly engaging, but it was a cute story. I like the mystery of the series, but this did not have a whole lot. Lots of sex scenes, as the norm, tho.

I enjoyed the most recent book in the 'Mane' series but, I gave this book a lower rating because it is 30% story, 70% filler. The story, when we actually got to read it, was entertaining, but the filler just made me mad. God help the reader who has not read ALL of her previous books because they will surely be confused by all the old characters choking this book who do not really contribute anything to the plot. Their story is done, move on. It is also clear that Ms. Laurenston has become a little stuck in the formula of past books. The heroine feels really familiar, like you have read about her a few times before. She's still interesting, just recycled.

For new readers to the series I would suggest starting with The Mane Event. I just read Shelly Laurenstons new book Hunting Season (The Gathering, Book 1) and it was awesome. Now THAT is a great read!

Really enjoyed this story. Had me laughing so hard I was crying, several times. I wish the plot was a little stronger. Meaning the 'heroine in peril' or conflict seemed relatively non-existent and it was mainly a romantic plot. I'd give it 4.75/5.

This book kept me laughing and entertained like all of Shelly Laurenston's books do. If you enjoy books about shape-shifters, romance, and action this book is for you. I have bought all of Shelly's books and I would recommend them to others.