By Shelly Laurenston

Synopsis

Just Roar And Bear It

Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O’Neill knows how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy who has a tendency to turn into a massive Grizzly? Despite his menacing growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for 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 or running away. Gwen–half lioness, half tigress, all kick-ass–does neither. She’s sexy beyond belief and smart as hell, but she’s so busy protecting her family and friends that she’s forgetting about her own safety. Lock probably shouldn’t get involved, but he can’t simply walk away. Not when Gwen means absolutely everything to him.

Review

THE MANE SQUEEZE starts where book 2 finishes, with Smitty and Jessie Ann’s wedding and introduces us to Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie (grizzly shifter) and Gwen O’Neill (tigon shifter and Mitch Shaw’s half sister).  Lock is a new character while Gwen was briefly introduced to us at the beginning of book 3.

The pair meet briefly at the wedding and again a few days later when Gwen is viciously attacked by an unknown wolf pack while visiting the half brother of her half brother (I love that saying), a.k.a. Brendon Shaw.  Lock takes her to the hospital but is forced to leave before they can exchange contact information.

Flash forward a couple of months and the pair meet again, have hot hot hot sex, fall in love and have more hot sex, all thanks to the help/interference of family and friends and Project: Code Name Bear-Cat.

Gwen:  “Do you wanna have sex with me?”
Lock:  “Uh…”
Gwen:  “Good enough.”

and

Gwen:  “Do you know I’m actually concerned I won’t be able to handle this thing?”  A few more tears fell.  “Do you know how many women actually get to say that sentence in a lifetime…and mean it?”

While I love all the books in this series, Lock is my favourite male character.  He’s just so sweet and shy and a little awkward, despite being seven feet tall (oops, I mean six-eleven and three-quarters) and very quick to attack if startled.  But hey, he is a grizzly after all.  And the image of him in a Scottish kilt costume without a shirt will go with me to my dreams tonight.

This book marks the beginning of the story arc which will continue through to book 9 and also introduces us to Blayne, Gwen’s best friend and wolf-dog hybrid.  I think the next book is her story.

The Mane Squeeze (Pride Series # 4)

My Rating:  

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Pride Series