Book Review: To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston

To Kill a Badger
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: The Honey Badger Chronicles (Book 6)
Publication: Kensington (August 26, 2025)

Description: Laugh-out-loud humor, a feminist outlook, and one-of-a-kind shape-shifting romance come together with the continuation of the fan-favorite Honey Badger Chronicles from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelly Laurenston.

Nelle Zhao is a loner, born and bred. Her own company is plenty, and her thoughts are certainly way more interesting than the tedium of reality. But she's also fiercely loyal—to her honey badger teammates and their mission, and now to the three gorgeous big tiger shifters known as the Malone brothers. Especially Keane, who doesn't know how to accept a friendly paw. But Nelle excels at helping! And at ignoring other people's irrational demands, such as doing it all alone. Keane, poor pretty kitty, doesn't understand the kind of assistance a shit-starting honey badger like Nelle can truly offer....

Keane knows two things—he doesn't like other people, and he is going to take down the de Medicis' human trafficking ring. Alone, as in by himself. It's safer that way. But the truth is the de Medicis are a seriously evil coalition of male lion shifters who are not only snatching innocent humans for fun and profit, but who also killed his father. And their combined power means that Keane's going to have to let long-legged, jet-setting Nelle join the fight. And getting close to Nelle is suddenly bringing out his roar....

Contains mature themes.

My Thoughts: This sixth book in the Honey Badger Chronicles stars honey badger Nelle Zhao and Amur tiger shifter Keane Malone. It features quite a number of characters from earlier books in this series and other series by Laurenston making it a big, complicated story packed with quirky characters. 

Nelle is fighting to stay out of her sister's over-the-top wedding. Starting a war with the de Medici lions seems like a good way to do that. Since the de Medici lions are playing in human trafficking and determined to exterminate honey badgers, this is something that needs doing. Nelle's mother isn't taking any excuses about skipping the wedding though. 

Kean would rather concentrate on bringing his football team up to competitive levels but the de Medicis are getting in his way too. He's had a grudge against them since they killed his father. Teaming up with Nelle is going to take him on all kinds of adventures that he'd rather not have. 

This was a fast-paced story filled with really, really quirky characters and lots of action. I enjoyed the story and loved the romance between Nelle and Keane. 

I bought this one September 18, 2025. You can buy your copy here.