Toni's Review of Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston ***5 Stars***

He's big, burly, and way smarter than your average shapeshifting bear. He's also about to get trapped by own his game. . .

Lou Crushek is a reasonable, mellow, easygoing kind of guy. But once someone starts killing the scumbags he works so hard to bust, that really gets under his fur. Especially when that someone is a curvy she-tiger with a skill set that's turning Crush's lone-bear world upside down--and bringing his passion out of hibernation. . .

As a member of an elite feline protection unit, Marcella Malone has no problem body-dropping anyone who hunts her kind. But Crush is proving one major pain in her gorgeous tail. The only reason she's joined forces with him is to track down the wealthy human who's got her entire species in his ruthless sights. It sure isn't because Crush's stubborn and contrary attitude is rubbing Cella in all the right ways. . .

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It had been awhile since I discovered Shelly Laurenston, so I had to do a bit of catching up and reacquainting myself to the storylines again.  I did a quick reread of the series and enjoyed every single morsel.  By the time I cracked this baby open, I was raring to go with a great big smile on my face.

There is just something about Ms. Laurenston’s humor.  Sometimes when you read a book the snarkiness or humor can grate on you, but I have never gotten tired of her writing style.  That really says something considering I had to read six books back to back and I still wanted and craved more, more, more.  I was practically gitty when I started Bear Meets Girl, number seven in her Pride series.  

While I was reading this series, I had a girlfriend having a really bad day.  I didn’t waste one second contemplating if I should share a little Shelly lovin’.  I gathered up my books to share with her so she could turn her frown upside down.  Ms. Laurenston does that for me every time with oodles of grins, giggles and lots of laugh out loud moments.

Someone is killing off their kind.  Hunting them down for sport and practically bragging about it.  All shifters need to band together to take this person down.  Not everyone likes to play nicely and tempers are easily flared.  From one problem to the next, Marcella and Lou’s attraction become apparent.  Their bond is forming no matter what they do, but together they are unstoppable.  Add in several of my other favorite characters from prior books and this book is a whirlwind of adventure and hilarity.

Bear Meets Girl is a wonderful story of opposites attracts.  Lou is your quiet loner, who is being forced to make a change he is very unhappy about and Marcella is an independent hellfire of a woman who would rather shot you than take you prisoner.  She is fun loving and loyal and not afraid to show it.  These two are combustible from the very beginning.  Marcella is merciless in her pursuit to bring Lou out of his mancave and Lou fought her the whole way.

Ms. Laurenston writes hot steamy romance, fun filled dialog, side-splitting scenes and kick butt characters.  With her strong wonderful females and masculine secure males, she keeps me coming back for more.  The action is intense and packed; the romance is sweltering and hot; and the plot is solid and adventurous.  She has a natural ability to write serious scenes right along with hilarious ones; her flow is smooth, funny and simply ingenious at times. 

Bear Meets Girl is a blast from the very first line to the last.  Ms. Laurenston has done it again.  She left me wanting more and loving every moment of it.  This is a wonderful addition to the series.

Thanks for reading!  - Toni