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Pride #2
The Beast in Him
Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward "accidentally" bumps into Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she's come since high school. Back then, Jess's gangly limbs and bruised heart turned to jelly any time Smitty's "all the better to ravish you with" body came near her. So, some things haven't changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp - or 20 -with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.
The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the lovable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder.
The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the lovable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 1, 2008
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
45 books7,740 followersOriginally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A. Aiken's dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
May 25, 2017
4 Hillbilly Stars
*Spoilers*
“This is serious. I won’t get between you and your family.” “You’re not, darlin’. This is what one friend
does for another. And we’re friends. Just like me and Mace.” She gave him a wicked little smile. “You fuck Mace too?” “Only when he’s feeling needy.”
The Beast in Him is the 2nd book in the Pride series and it is just as funny as the first book. Shelly Laurenston has a Knack for writing hilarious stories with realistic, fun loving characters. After meeting Smitty in the first book I was really looking forward to his story, and it didn't disappoint.
Smitty stared at the disconnection message on his phone in horror. “She hung up on me.” Ronnie patted his leg. “I’m sure she didn’t—” “On me!”
What this book is about
Back in high school Bobby Ray Smith "Smitty" Had a thing for little nerdy Jessie Ann Ward. Poor Little Jessie Ann was bullied by all the she wolves especially Smitty's own sister Sissy. Smitty did his best to protect her until he left for the Navy. The Night before he leaves for the Navy he stops another attack on Jessie Ann. While talking, Jessie Ann and him almost kiss. He stops it because he doesn't want to hurt her by starting something then leaving. Years later Smitty and Mace's security company is working a party held by a very rich, beautiful and all grown up Jessica Ann Ward. Smitty is blown away when Jessie Ann acts as if she barely remembers him. Smitty sets about to make Jessie Ann apart of his life again. Even if everyone thinks Jessica is out of his league.
She heard him turn in his seat to face his wife, Sabina. “Golly gee, darlin’,” he said in what had to be the worst rendition of a Southern accent Jess had ever been forced to listen to. “You sho’ look good in them fine shoes.” “And you are... I can’t quite place you,” Sabina responded in her Russian accent that was suddenly that much thicker. “Why, I’m the young man you once had a big ol’ crush on and I’ve now grown into a manly buck of a wolf. Don’t you remember?” “Um... no.” Finally, Jess couldn’t take it anymore. She burst out laughing, her Pack joining with her. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” she playfully yelled at Phil. “I wasn’t that bad.”
Smitty:
Smith is all Country, Southern Charm. Sexy, sweet, playful, and very protective. The Smiths are all known for their wild, fighting crazy hillbilly ways, and Smitty has been fighting his Smith side his whole life. Worried that if he lets his feral side out he will turn into his daddy, Bubba Ray, a roughneck with a mate that wants to killing him half the time. When Smitty falls in love with Jessie Ann and wants to claim her, he learns he will have to accept all of who he is or lose the woman that is meant to be his!
“Well,” he said clearly, for the entire street to hear, “we’re going to go home now and have some hot and dirty sex.” Jess let out a startled gasp and tried to pull back, but Smitty held her tight against him. “Yup,” he continued, “we’re gonna go have some nasty, dirty, whore sex.”
Smitty muttered even as he sat up. “I don’t know, hoss. Maybe my daddy was right. Maybe I am an idiot.” “Your daddy is certifiably insane.” “In the South we call that eccentric.” “Well, in New York, we call the cops to get ’em away from the front of our building.”
Jessie Ann:
Jessie Ann made this book for me. She is funny, playful, sassy, loyal, and smart. She is a overcomer who makes a great loving family and full life for herself. She wants a mate and babies of her own. She has always wanted Smitty bad, but she is worried about letting him into her life and giving him the power to break her heart again like he did back in high school when he pushed her away instead of kissing her.
“Forget it. I’m not telling you guys anything.” “Why not?” She liked how Phil had the nerve to sound so indignant that she wasn’t filling them in on all the details of her night with Smitty. “Because it’s none of your business.” “We told you about our first time,” Phil coaxed. “You didn’t tell me anything. I was there. In a sleeping bag across the room desperately trying to mind my own business. But you, sir, are a screamer.”
“That’s what I deserve? That? You know what? The biggest mistake I ever made was falling in love with your hick ass.” "Jessie Ann—” “No, we’re done. I’m done. Done, done, done. I’m cutting you out of my heart. Because you don’t deserve me.”
“You hungry?” “Starving.” Not bothering to open his eyes, he kissed her and placed his hand on top of her head. He started to push her under the covers and she slapped his hands away. “I’m starving for food, you barbarian!”
Smitty and Jessie Ann have a cute and sexy relationship. I will say I wish Smitty would have wanted her without fear of her not being strong enough to be his mate, but I get it is a wolf thing whatevs! I loved Sissy Mae in the first book, but I didn't like the bully side of Sissy in this book although she did the bullying when she was a teen I wish she would have at least said sorry as an adult. I did like that Jessie Ann knocked Sissy out when they meet back up. I was yelling at my Kindle " Yeah in your face !! You ain't talkin hardcore, now is ya? Lil' bitch!"
I really like that we get to see Smitty's parents who I loved. We also get to catch up on the lives of Mace, Dez, Mitch, Brendon and Ronnie lee. I was a little confused about the whole Eggie thing. In "Like A Wolf With A Bone" Eggie and Bubby Ray(Smitty's Dad) are brothers in this book they are cousins. HMM Okay. Sissy Mae lost some points with me in this book. I know that her and Mitch's book is next I am looking forward to seeing if she can redeem herself to me in her book. I loved the ending . Smitty and Jessie Ann HEA was very sweet. I am on to the next book. Below I leave my favorite quote from this book:
“Come on, Smitty,” she whined. “I need my wild dog morning greeting.” “Which is?” “Ummm... let’s see. Hugs, chaste kisses, and nose rubs between Packmates.” Smitty shook his head. “Nah, I can’t do all that.” She pouted, looking more adorable than was fair. In resignation, he offered, “I can fuck you until you pass out.” Jessie shrugged and sighed. “Well... if that’s the best you can do.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
*Spoilers*
“This is serious. I won’t get between you and your family.” “You’re not, darlin’. This is what one friend
does for another. And we’re friends. Just like me and Mace.” She gave him a wicked little smile. “You fuck Mace too?” “Only when he’s feeling needy.”
The Beast in Him is the 2nd book in the Pride series and it is just as funny as the first book. Shelly Laurenston has a Knack for writing hilarious stories with realistic, fun loving characters. After meeting Smitty in the first book I was really looking forward to his story, and it didn't disappoint.
Smitty stared at the disconnection message on his phone in horror. “She hung up on me.” Ronnie patted his leg. “I’m sure she didn’t—” “On me!”
What this book is about
Back in high school Bobby Ray Smith "Smitty" Had a thing for little nerdy Jessie Ann Ward. Poor Little Jessie Ann was bullied by all the she wolves especially Smitty's own sister Sissy. Smitty did his best to protect her until he left for the Navy. The Night before he leaves for the Navy he stops another attack on Jessie Ann. While talking, Jessie Ann and him almost kiss. He stops it because he doesn't want to hurt her by starting something then leaving. Years later Smitty and Mace's security company is working a party held by a very rich, beautiful and all grown up Jessica Ann Ward. Smitty is blown away when Jessie Ann acts as if she barely remembers him. Smitty sets about to make Jessie Ann apart of his life again. Even if everyone thinks Jessica is out of his league.
She heard him turn in his seat to face his wife, Sabina. “Golly gee, darlin’,” he said in what had to be the worst rendition of a Southern accent Jess had ever been forced to listen to. “You sho’ look good in them fine shoes.” “And you are... I can’t quite place you,” Sabina responded in her Russian accent that was suddenly that much thicker. “Why, I’m the young man you once had a big ol’ crush on and I’ve now grown into a manly buck of a wolf. Don’t you remember?” “Um... no.” Finally, Jess couldn’t take it anymore. She burst out laughing, her Pack joining with her. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” she playfully yelled at Phil. “I wasn’t that bad.”
Smitty:
Smith is all Country, Southern Charm. Sexy, sweet, playful, and very protective. The Smiths are all known for their wild, fighting crazy hillbilly ways, and Smitty has been fighting his Smith side his whole life. Worried that if he lets his feral side out he will turn into his daddy, Bubba Ray, a roughneck with a mate that wants to killing him half the time. When Smitty falls in love with Jessie Ann and wants to claim her, he learns he will have to accept all of who he is or lose the woman that is meant to be his!
“Well,” he said clearly, for the entire street to hear, “we’re going to go home now and have some hot and dirty sex.” Jess let out a startled gasp and tried to pull back, but Smitty held her tight against him. “Yup,” he continued, “we’re gonna go have some nasty, dirty, whore sex.”
Smitty muttered even as he sat up. “I don’t know, hoss. Maybe my daddy was right. Maybe I am an idiot.” “Your daddy is certifiably insane.” “In the South we call that eccentric.” “Well, in New York, we call the cops to get ’em away from the front of our building.”
Jessie Ann:
Jessie Ann made this book for me. She is funny, playful, sassy, loyal, and smart. She is a overcomer who makes a great loving family and full life for herself. She wants a mate and babies of her own. She has always wanted Smitty bad, but she is worried about letting him into her life and giving him the power to break her heart again like he did back in high school when he pushed her away instead of kissing her.
“Forget it. I’m not telling you guys anything.” “Why not?” She liked how Phil had the nerve to sound so indignant that she wasn’t filling them in on all the details of her night with Smitty. “Because it’s none of your business.” “We told you about our first time,” Phil coaxed. “You didn’t tell me anything. I was there. In a sleeping bag across the room desperately trying to mind my own business. But you, sir, are a screamer.”
“That’s what I deserve? That? You know what? The biggest mistake I ever made was falling in love with your hick ass.” "Jessie Ann—” “No, we’re done. I’m done. Done, done, done. I’m cutting you out of my heart. Because you don’t deserve me.”
“You hungry?” “Starving.” Not bothering to open his eyes, he kissed her and placed his hand on top of her head. He started to push her under the covers and she slapped his hands away. “I’m starving for food, you barbarian!”
Smitty and Jessie Ann have a cute and sexy relationship. I will say I wish Smitty would have wanted her without fear of her not being strong enough to be his mate, but I get it is a wolf thing whatevs! I loved Sissy Mae in the first book, but I didn't like the bully side of Sissy in this book although she did the bullying when she was a teen I wish she would have at least said sorry as an adult. I did like that Jessie Ann knocked Sissy out when they meet back up. I was yelling at my Kindle " Yeah in your face !! You ain't talkin hardcore, now is ya? Lil' bitch!"
I really like that we get to see Smitty's parents who I loved. We also get to catch up on the lives of Mace, Dez, Mitch, Brendon and Ronnie lee. I was a little confused about the whole Eggie thing. In "Like A Wolf With A Bone" Eggie and Bubby Ray(Smitty's Dad) are brothers in this book they are cousins. HMM Okay. Sissy Mae lost some points with me in this book. I know that her and Mitch's book is next I am looking forward to seeing if she can redeem herself to me in her book. I loved the ending . Smitty and Jessie Ann HEA was very sweet. I am on to the next book. Below I leave my favorite quote from this book:
“Come on, Smitty,” she whined. “I need my wild dog morning greeting.” “Which is?” “Ummm... let’s see. Hugs, chaste kisses, and nose rubs between Packmates.” Smitty shook his head. “Nah, I can’t do all that.” She pouted, looking more adorable than was fair. In resignation, he offered, “I can fuck you until you pass out.” Jessie shrugged and sighed. “Well... if that’s the best you can do.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 28, 2014DNF @ 30%
This was just so chaotic and campy...and I'm just not in the mood for it right now.
I also don't like how Smitty seems to expect Jess to get over his sister physically abusing her as a teenager...I get that it's all some weird pack mentality, but I've read some weird pack books and...not cool.
It got such great reviews from my friends though, so maybe I will try and revisit it later...
This was just so chaotic and campy...and I'm just not in the mood for it right now.
I also don't like how Smitty seems to expect Jess to get over his sister physically abusing her as a teenager...I get that it's all some weird pack mentality, but I've read some weird pack books and...not cool.
It got such great reviews from my friends though, so maybe I will try and revisit it later...
April 25, 2012
Note : I hope this review is not like you read Discovery Channel or National Geographic, or promotion for a new Zoo in the town.. *smirk*
My first thought when reading Shelly Laurenston' s book...
ARE ALL HER CHARACTER CRAZY?????
Seems there's no normal character in her books. Both men or women, shifter or not, children or adult, they're crazy and insane in their own way... :))
BTW, in this book, meet new shifter in the town!
The African Wild Dog!!
For further information, look at Wikipedia :P.
Is that animal cute? :D
For the story, the formula still like book one The Mane Event, the hero and heroine both are childhood friends . Jessica Ann Ward, or Jessie Ann (but she insist everyone called her Jessica) is a wild dog shifter who get lost in wolf environment, and because of that she always get bullied . Jessie Ann have a crush to Bobby Ray Smith, or Smitty, the Alpha Male of Smith Wolf Pack, and her protector. Alas, Smitty refused to kiss her when they're in high school, and he went to join NAVY. Talk about broken heart, for Jessie Ann..
14 years later, Smitty can't believed the meek Jessie Ann he know, become a CEO and Alpha Female of Kutneszov Wild Dog Pack. And Jessica refused him, literally.. No matter what Smitty said to her, no matter what Smitty try to seduced her, seems Jessie Ann can't forget the humiliated moment when they're in high school. Jessica want to show, that she not meek and became strong woman, even she's still a nerd.
The problem is, while Smitty and Jessie Ann fallin for each other, Smitty still think Jessie is weak and treat her carefully, like she is a princess. Worse she become rich than Midas himself, and Smitty somehow feel not worthy for her. But Jessie Ann want Smitty act like a real him, as Alpha Male, not denied his nature, and mark her as Smith's wolf shifter usually do...
The moral in this book :
- Payback is a b*tch (at last for Smitty, and Sissy Mae, his sister)
- Just be yourself (this, for Smitty too..) Poor Smitty *LOL*
- No matter what, while you are crazy,angry and mad about your family, they will always ready to help you
- Never underestimated Lion shifter and Wolf shifter in Karaoke bar. They can sing, you know
This book still good and humorous like the previous book. There are cameo from the first book like Mace Lleweyn and Dez (they already have baby, and Dez act strangely, and it's make Mace panic), Brendon Shaw and Ronnie Lee, then for you who miss character from Magnus Pack series, meet Sara Morrighan and Zach Sherridan from Pack Challenge. Sara still mad and crazy, and Zach always ready to "calm" her. (read : hauling her :P)
Now, lets talk about shifter, since Jessie Ann is African Wild Dog and Smitty is wolf...
+
meet a hybrid Wolfdog!!
Okay, anyway.. there's a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog :P
I hope this review add your knowledge for the animal (I know just a little), and need a humorous and steamy read? Shelly Laurenston's book is the answer!
My first thought when reading Shelly Laurenston' s book...
ARE ALL HER CHARACTER CRAZY?????
Seems there's no normal character in her books. Both men or women, shifter or not, children or adult, they're crazy and insane in their own way... :))
BTW, in this book, meet new shifter in the town!
The African Wild Dog!!
For further information, look at Wikipedia :P.
Is that animal cute? :D
For the story, the formula still like book one The Mane Event, the hero and heroine both are childhood friends . Jessica Ann Ward, or Jessie Ann (but she insist everyone called her Jessica) is a wild dog shifter who get lost in wolf environment, and because of that she always get bullied . Jessie Ann have a crush to Bobby Ray Smith, or Smitty, the Alpha Male of Smith Wolf Pack, and her protector. Alas, Smitty refused to kiss her when they're in high school, and he went to join NAVY. Talk about broken heart, for Jessie Ann..
14 years later, Smitty can't believed the meek Jessie Ann he know, become a CEO and Alpha Female of Kutneszov Wild Dog Pack. And Jessica refused him, literally.. No matter what Smitty said to her, no matter what Smitty try to seduced her, seems Jessie Ann can't forget the humiliated moment when they're in high school. Jessica want to show, that she not meek and became strong woman, even she's still a nerd.
The problem is, while Smitty and Jessie Ann fallin for each other, Smitty still think Jessie is weak and treat her carefully, like she is a princess. Worse she become rich than Midas himself, and Smitty somehow feel not worthy for her. But Jessie Ann want Smitty act like a real him, as Alpha Male, not denied his nature, and mark her as Smith's wolf shifter usually do...
The moral in this book :
- Payback is a b*tch (at last for Smitty, and Sissy Mae, his sister)
- Just be yourself (this, for Smitty too..) Poor Smitty *LOL*
- No matter what, while you are crazy,angry and mad about your family, they will always ready to help you
- Never underestimated Lion shifter and Wolf shifter in Karaoke bar. They can sing, you know
This book still good and humorous like the previous book. There are cameo from the first book like Mace Lleweyn and Dez (they already have baby, and Dez act strangely, and it's make Mace panic), Brendon Shaw and Ronnie Lee, then for you who miss character from Magnus Pack series, meet Sara Morrighan and Zach Sherridan from Pack Challenge. Sara still mad and crazy, and Zach always ready to "calm" her. (read : hauling her :P)
Now, lets talk about shifter, since Jessie Ann is African Wild Dog and Smitty is wolf...
+
meet a hybrid Wolfdog!!
Okay, anyway.. there's a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog :P
I hope this review add your knowledge for the animal (I know just a little), and need a humorous and steamy read? Shelly Laurenston's book is the answer!
April 3, 2022
This is another fun ride by Laurenston, it’s an enjoyable light read and re-read.
Jessica Ward is a wild dog shifter, bullied and mocked as an orphaned child/teen in Smithtown, she is now a super-rich tech geek with her own company, as well as being alpha of her own fabulous Pack (her packmates make entertaining secondary characters).
Then we have Bobby Ray Smith (Smitty) a wolf shifter from the notorious Smith clan. Smitty gets one hell of a surprise when he sees the adult version of the girl he once knew, once protected and lectured.
Really disliked Smitty’s sister Sissy Mae in this book, and every time I read the scene where Jess first sees Sissy Mae as an adult and knocks her out cold – I cheer hard!
Laurenston has a way of creating really likable characters, has the knack for integrating humour into her work, and simply entertaining you.
Jessica Ward is a wild dog shifter, bullied and mocked as an orphaned child/teen in Smithtown, she is now a super-rich tech geek with her own company, as well as being alpha of her own fabulous Pack (her packmates make entertaining secondary characters).
Then we have Bobby Ray Smith (Smitty) a wolf shifter from the notorious Smith clan. Smitty gets one hell of a surprise when he sees the adult version of the girl he once knew, once protected and lectured.
Really disliked Smitty’s sister Sissy Mae in this book, and every time I read the scene where Jess first sees Sissy Mae as an adult and knocks her out cold – I cheer hard!
Laurenston has a way of creating really likable characters, has the knack for integrating humour into her work, and simply entertaining you.
August 21, 2020
Gosh, I'm mad at this pair of immature kids in adult bodies. I don't know how I managed to finish this book. Maybe because the beginning was the worst, and then while it wasn't much better, it didn't matter to me.
From the very beginning, I disliked the main characters strongly. Mostly Jess Ann. In fact, I was so angry with Jess Ann that I had no room to be annoyed with Smitty. This childish idiot had a crush on Smitty as a child, who was super nice to her back then. However, he did not want to kiss her, which she took as an insult for life. So now that she's meeting him again as an adult instead of acting like the responsible adult person she is supposed to be, she decides to demean Smitty at every turn. She deliberately pretends that she cannot remember his name and is demeaning his professional status. Yes, she has had professional success, but I think it's beneath her to suggest to Smitty that he is inferior to her. Totally childish.
Smitty isn't much better. He is annoyingly stubborn. Though with Jess Ann's idiotic stubbornness, it's not as much of a problem as it might be. But when I think about Smitty now, I discover that I don't have much to say about him. There is simply nothing special about him. Or maybe I was just focusing too much on how annoying Jess Ann is.
When you look at their relationship, you think it's one of those that won't stand the test of time. Not only do they know very little about each other, but they just don't fit together very well. At the very end of the book, either Smitty or Jess thinks they are perfect for each other because they only irritate each other a bit. Seriously?! This is the basis for a successful relationship ?! Especially since they are also convinced that they will drive each other crazy for years to come. Oh, cool. So they don't know much about each other, they have nothing in common but sex, and drive each other crazy. Congratulations and I wish you a happy life.
This whole love thread is also lined with some philosophy like he is too good for me / she is too good for me. But this theme is turned on and off as the author prefers.
Did I mention that virtually all the tension in Smitty and Jess Ann's relationship could have been avoided if the two had just talked to each other calmly? But of course for this they would have to act like adults for a while, which is completely beyond their abilities. Most annoying is Jess Ann (again), who expects Smitty to just figure out what she wants, and when he can't guess it, she just takes offence at him. And then, of course, she doesn't tell him what she meant, but lets him only guess again. No communication at all, very successful relationship.
This is not my first book in this series. Although I absolutely can't remember anything from the previous book I read, not even which pair were the main characters. So, I don't remember if all these weird animal behaviours upset me so much in the previous book. As far as I understand, the Jess pack has a lot of dog traits, which should probably be fun. As for me, it is not. But I'm also not the best person to judge such things, because usually I don't enjoy this kind of humour at all.
I have a few more books by this author on my tbr pile, I sincerely hope they are better. But I will not read them until I forget about my experience with this book. I am still surprised how I managed to read it entirely.
From the very beginning, I disliked the main characters strongly. Mostly Jess Ann. In fact, I was so angry with Jess Ann that I had no room to be annoyed with Smitty. This childish idiot had a crush on Smitty as a child, who was super nice to her back then. However, he did not want to kiss her, which she took as an insult for life. So now that she's meeting him again as an adult instead of acting like the responsible adult person she is supposed to be, she decides to demean Smitty at every turn. She deliberately pretends that she cannot remember his name and is demeaning his professional status. Yes, she has had professional success, but I think it's beneath her to suggest to Smitty that he is inferior to her. Totally childish.
Smitty isn't much better. He is annoyingly stubborn. Though with Jess Ann's idiotic stubbornness, it's not as much of a problem as it might be. But when I think about Smitty now, I discover that I don't have much to say about him. There is simply nothing special about him. Or maybe I was just focusing too much on how annoying Jess Ann is.
When you look at their relationship, you think it's one of those that won't stand the test of time. Not only do they know very little about each other, but they just don't fit together very well. At the very end of the book, either Smitty or Jess thinks they are perfect for each other because they only irritate each other a bit. Seriously?! This is the basis for a successful relationship ?! Especially since they are also convinced that they will drive each other crazy for years to come. Oh, cool. So they don't know much about each other, they have nothing in common but sex, and drive each other crazy. Congratulations and I wish you a happy life.
This whole love thread is also lined with some philosophy like he is too good for me / she is too good for me. But this theme is turned on and off as the author prefers.
Did I mention that virtually all the tension in Smitty and Jess Ann's relationship could have been avoided if the two had just talked to each other calmly? But of course for this they would have to act like adults for a while, which is completely beyond their abilities. Most annoying is Jess Ann (again), who expects Smitty to just figure out what she wants, and when he can't guess it, she just takes offence at him. And then, of course, she doesn't tell him what she meant, but lets him only guess again. No communication at all, very successful relationship.
This is not my first book in this series. Although I absolutely can't remember anything from the previous book I read, not even which pair were the main characters. So, I don't remember if all these weird animal behaviours upset me so much in the previous book. As far as I understand, the Jess pack has a lot of dog traits, which should probably be fun. As for me, it is not. But I'm also not the best person to judge such things, because usually I don't enjoy this kind of humour at all.
I have a few more books by this author on my tbr pile, I sincerely hope they are better. But I will not read them until I forget about my experience with this book. I am still surprised how I managed to read it entirely.
May 24, 2014
Jessie Ann Ward grew up an orphan in the small town in Alabama that was ruled/run by the Smith family. They are a pack of wolf shifters who have a reputation for protecting family at all costs. Jessie has been mercilessly picked on by all the female wolves, especially Sissy Mae Smith a female Alpha. Jessie is considered weak she is a wild dog shifter who has no pack. Jessie has always been in love with youngest brother Bobby Ray Smith and he always looked out for her and intervened when the bullying got too bad. But he leaves to join the service.
Fast forward 16 years later, Jessie is now super rich and the alpha of a very close-knit, very protective wild dog pack. She and Bobby meet up at a work function. Bobby is amazed at the change in the now confident Jessie Ann. He and she begin a tug-of-war romance. She is still very conscious of the fact that she used to love him but was not considered good enough. He wants her but is reluctant to get involved because she is a forever kind of woman.
There is also a subplot about the ne'er do well natural father one one of Jessie's pack who is threatening to take his daughter away unless he can get some money.
If you've ever read a Shelly Laurenston book, you'll find this book is typical of all of her books. She populates them with very strong and strong willed women and the men who love them. She has tons of supporting characters who always try to help/interfere with the love life of the main pair. It is heavy on the humor and quirky characters.
I like her stuff. Her books are invariably pleasant, go down very easy and are fun, fun reads. She also populates her books with the larger than life characters from previous books (most notably crazy Sara Sheridan the alpha female from Laurenston's Magnus pack trilogy book Pack Challenge).
The plot arc is predictable but still compulsively readable. And you get a visceral satisfaction from seeing how strong Jessie has gotten and how she is able to hold her own with former tormentors. The main conflict b/t Bobbie Ray and Jessie is his concern that she might not be a striong enough person to be his mate and fit in with the rough and rowdy Smith clan. But this is a romance so you can pretty much guess how that goes.
For those who like multi-culti romances, Laurenston is a good author to read. She populates her books with many different cultures & races. This book features an IR relationship as Jessie is black and Bobbie Ray is white. A couple of her other books also feature IR relationships.
Fun read. Recommended.
Fast forward 16 years later, Jessie is now super rich and the alpha of a very close-knit, very protective wild dog pack. She and Bobby meet up at a work function. Bobby is amazed at the change in the now confident Jessie Ann. He and she begin a tug-of-war romance. She is still very conscious of the fact that she used to love him but was not considered good enough. He wants her but is reluctant to get involved because she is a forever kind of woman.
There is also a subplot about the ne'er do well natural father one one of Jessie's pack who is threatening to take his daughter away unless he can get some money.
If you've ever read a Shelly Laurenston book, you'll find this book is typical of all of her books. She populates them with very strong and strong willed women and the men who love them. She has tons of supporting characters who always try to help/interfere with the love life of the main pair. It is heavy on the humor and quirky characters.
I like her stuff. Her books are invariably pleasant, go down very easy and are fun, fun reads. She also populates her books with the larger than life characters from previous books (most notably crazy Sara Sheridan the alpha female from Laurenston's Magnus pack trilogy book Pack Challenge).
The plot arc is predictable but still compulsively readable. And you get a visceral satisfaction from seeing how strong Jessie has gotten and how she is able to hold her own with former tormentors. The main conflict b/t Bobbie Ray and Jessie is his concern that she might not be a striong enough person to be his mate and fit in with the rough and rowdy Smith clan. But this is a romance so you can pretty much guess how that goes.
For those who like multi-culti romances, Laurenston is a good author to read. She populates her books with many different cultures & races. This book features an IR relationship as Jessie is black and Bobbie Ray is white. A couple of her other books also feature IR relationships.
Fun read. Recommended.
May 12, 2020
~ 4 The Beast In Him Stars ~
The Beast In Him is book two in the Pride series by Shelly Laurenston. I absolutely love this series. It’s the perfect book to get you out of a slump. This one was a re-read and I loved it all over again.
Ms. Laurenston did it again. We get a fantastic cast of characters and a ton of humor. The author does a great job using the many natural behaviors of the species that she is writing about for her characters. The way the species groups are described is wonderful.
The plot line is not to strong, but that does not bother me.
I love the characters. Smitty and Jessica are childhood friends. I like it when their is a history between the leads. Now 14years later each have life experience and have grown in different ways, even though they still are the same, they have become more. All the characters are fun and entertaining. We also get some great cameos from previous characters and more new ones are introduced. I love the camaraderie the characters have with each other. It’s fun and refreshing for me to read. I also like that none of her characters are normal. Both the men and women, shifter or not, have a little crazy in them. I love this.
Fantastic, fun, and humors. The Pride series is one of my go to series, especially when I need a pick me up.
Audio May 2018: I enjoyed the audiobook. I liked Smitty's slow draw talking. It felt like the character I had read. No issues on this one. It was good!
Audio May 2020: Enjoyed it all over again.
The Beast In Him is book two in the Pride series by Shelly Laurenston. I absolutely love this series. It’s the perfect book to get you out of a slump. This one was a re-read and I loved it all over again.
Ms. Laurenston did it again. We get a fantastic cast of characters and a ton of humor. The author does a great job using the many natural behaviors of the species that she is writing about for her characters. The way the species groups are described is wonderful.
The plot line is not to strong, but that does not bother me.
I love the characters. Smitty and Jessica are childhood friends. I like it when their is a history between the leads. Now 14years later each have life experience and have grown in different ways, even though they still are the same, they have become more. All the characters are fun and entertaining. We also get some great cameos from previous characters and more new ones are introduced. I love the camaraderie the characters have with each other. It’s fun and refreshing for me to read. I also like that none of her characters are normal. Both the men and women, shifter or not, have a little crazy in them. I love this.
Fantastic, fun, and humors. The Pride series is one of my go to series, especially when I need a pick me up.
Audio May 2018: I enjoyed the audiobook. I liked Smitty's slow draw talking. It felt like the character I had read. No issues on this one. It was good!
Audio May 2020: Enjoyed it all over again.
June 4, 2010
After reading The Mane Event, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. And, once I did I was so disappointed. While The Mane Event had laugh out dialogue and larger than life characters, The Beast in Him had confusing dialogue and annoying characters.
The dialogue and narrative were so chaotic at times that I kept checking to see if perhaps my book was defective. Often the dialogue was used to explain what was happening and it jumped around so much that I had to go back and reread certain paragraphes several times just to sort out who was talking and where the scene was taking place. It was like a book on speed with a large dose of caffeine for good measure.
But, for me, the most disappointing aspect was the characters. The heroine, Jessica, was just plain mean in the beginning, and it wasn't until later in the book that the reason for her attitude was made clear. But, by then, my opinion of her was such that I couldn't have cared less whether or not she got her HEA. The hero, Smitty, was introduced in The Mane Event, and while the stereotypical Southern male was overplayed, I found him likeable. However, in this book he alternated between being a pathetic puppy and an obnoxious stalker. There were a lot of misunderstandings between the main characters which would have been charming if they were both pre teens, but it was just irritating for adult situations. Even the secondary characters, most of whom were introduced in the first book, were annoyingly over the top in this book. It had me wondering how it was possible for me to love the characters in one book and dislike those same characters in the next book.
All in all, this book was a huge let down. However, I plan to stick with the series, hoping that this was a fluke and the next book returns to the great writing style of which I know this author is capable.
The dialogue and narrative were so chaotic at times that I kept checking to see if perhaps my book was defective. Often the dialogue was used to explain what was happening and it jumped around so much that I had to go back and reread certain paragraphes several times just to sort out who was talking and where the scene was taking place. It was like a book on speed with a large dose of caffeine for good measure.
But, for me, the most disappointing aspect was the characters. The heroine, Jessica, was just plain mean in the beginning, and it wasn't until later in the book that the reason for her attitude was made clear. But, by then, my opinion of her was such that I couldn't have cared less whether or not she got her HEA. The hero, Smitty, was introduced in The Mane Event, and while the stereotypical Southern male was overplayed, I found him likeable. However, in this book he alternated between being a pathetic puppy and an obnoxious stalker. There were a lot of misunderstandings between the main characters which would have been charming if they were both pre teens, but it was just irritating for adult situations. Even the secondary characters, most of whom were introduced in the first book, were annoyingly over the top in this book. It had me wondering how it was possible for me to love the characters in one book and dislike those same characters in the next book.
All in all, this book was a huge let down. However, I plan to stick with the series, hoping that this was a fluke and the next book returns to the great writing style of which I know this author is capable.
February 14, 2011
Jessa Ann, the heroine of the Beast in Him, makes this book as far as I'm concerned, rising from her relative bottom of the pack status to alpha female without changing her core personality one iota. (GEEKS RULE! Shewolves drool!) Although it takes most of the book for her alpha wolf shifting destined to be her mate Smitty to finally realize it.
Ok, I'll admit,These books are little too over the top to be pick of the litter for me, as it were, but what the heck- they do make me laugh from time to time. What can I say, I'm a sucker for clever banter and this author does it like no one else in this genre!
Ok, I'll admit,These books are little too over the top to be pick of the litter for me, as it were, but what the heck- they do make me laugh from time to time. What can I say, I'm a sucker for clever banter and this author does it like no one else in this genre!
February 27, 2011
4.5 stars
I had such an amazing time reading this story. I'm getting to love this series more and more with every book. This book is a full length, so in it you get to know the couple much more than in the first 2 stories from book 1. But we still have plenty of that amazing sense of humor this author has. I swear I love her, she makes me laugh so hard that many times I have to stop reading to be able to stop laughing like an ass.
In this installment we get to read about Bobby Ray (Smitty) Smith. In book 1 he was there all the time and you really get to love him since the beginning so to finally be able to read his story was great. I just loved him, his family and his crazy wolf pack. We also see a lot of all the rest of the characters so you never feel like you miss them. While we had never heard of his mate before, she is so well developed as a character in this installment that you feel you have know her forever and you even end taking her side against Smitty many times, LOL, she was an amazing heroine.
Jessie Ann Ward was just a weird and abused kid at high school but Smitty always tried to help and defend her. He always had a thing for her but as she had 4-ever written all over her he never tried to get closed to her because he was leaving for good his city once he got out of high school to join the army. So when 16 years later he finds her again, he can't help to want her. But Jessie isn't what she used to be as a kid. She not only became alpha of her own pack but she is a famous and rich owner of one of the most important computer industries of the country.
Now things are totally opposite from what they used to be, and not only Smitty will have to try really hard to get her back but he will have to show her they were always meant to be together. Well let me say you will really enjoy to read how he shows her,lol, over and over again.
This was a really good read and I can't wait to read more in this series. I'm totally hooked, and I really wish somebody had recommended me this series before. I must admit it is not what I am used to read as my normal paranormal romance has a bit less sex in it, but this is really good and the plot is so amazing that you forget about everything and just enjoy each story.
I had such an amazing time reading this story. I'm getting to love this series more and more with every book. This book is a full length, so in it you get to know the couple much more than in the first 2 stories from book 1. But we still have plenty of that amazing sense of humor this author has. I swear I love her, she makes me laugh so hard that many times I have to stop reading to be able to stop laughing like an ass.
In this installment we get to read about Bobby Ray (Smitty) Smith. In book 1 he was there all the time and you really get to love him since the beginning so to finally be able to read his story was great. I just loved him, his family and his crazy wolf pack. We also see a lot of all the rest of the characters so you never feel like you miss them. While we had never heard of his mate before, she is so well developed as a character in this installment that you feel you have know her forever and you even end taking her side against Smitty many times, LOL, she was an amazing heroine.
Jessie Ann Ward was just a weird and abused kid at high school but Smitty always tried to help and defend her. He always had a thing for her but as she had 4-ever written all over her he never tried to get closed to her because he was leaving for good his city once he got out of high school to join the army. So when 16 years later he finds her again, he can't help to want her. But Jessie isn't what she used to be as a kid. She not only became alpha of her own pack but she is a famous and rich owner of one of the most important computer industries of the country.
Now things are totally opposite from what they used to be, and not only Smitty will have to try really hard to get her back but he will have to show her they were always meant to be together. Well let me say you will really enjoy to read how he shows her,lol, over and over again.
This was a really good read and I can't wait to read more in this series. I'm totally hooked, and I really wish somebody had recommended me this series before. I must admit it is not what I am used to read as my normal paranormal romance has a bit less sex in it, but this is really good and the plot is so amazing that you forget about everything and just enjoy each story.
April 1, 2014
What happens when a wolf and an african wild dog fall in love??
All sorts of awesomeness!!!
Bobby Ray Smith is a wolf, and not just any wolf, he is now the Alpha of the New York Smiths. Bobby Ray, Smitty for his friends, has managed to suppress his wild and feral side, something not easy since it seems to run in the gene pool. There is one person who always brings the edge to the front, one person which can rattle him and always had. Little Jessie Ann Ward. The one woman who made Smitty run, not because he didn't want her but because he wanted her too much.
Jessica Ann Ward has come a long way from the little girl she was, that nerdy, innocent, little dog is long gone. In her place stands a beautiful woman, with more money than she can ever hope to spend, a whole pack of wild dogs to support her and after all these years, she still wants Bobby Ray more than anything else. But Jessie isn't prepared to compromise with the easy-going, calm guy Smitty pretends to be. Jessie Ann wants the real Bobby Ray Smith and she'll fight to get him.
These books just don't get old. They still have me laughing my ass off despite the fact that I've read them a gazillion times. I won't be writing a detailed review because I'm kind of bored these days but I can tell you that I love this series!!
PS. Wild dogs rock!!!<3
All sorts of awesomeness!!!
Bobby Ray Smith is a wolf, and not just any wolf, he is now the Alpha of the New York Smiths. Bobby Ray, Smitty for his friends, has managed to suppress his wild and feral side, something not easy since it seems to run in the gene pool. There is one person who always brings the edge to the front, one person which can rattle him and always had. Little Jessie Ann Ward. The one woman who made Smitty run, not because he didn't want her but because he wanted her too much.
Jessica Ann Ward has come a long way from the little girl she was, that nerdy, innocent, little dog is long gone. In her place stands a beautiful woman, with more money than she can ever hope to spend, a whole pack of wild dogs to support her and after all these years, she still wants Bobby Ray more than anything else. But Jessie isn't prepared to compromise with the easy-going, calm guy Smitty pretends to be. Jessie Ann wants the real Bobby Ray Smith and she'll fight to get him.
These books just don't get old. They still have me laughing my ass off despite the fact that I've read them a gazillion times. I won't be writing a detailed review because I'm kind of bored these days but I can tell you that I love this series!!
PS. Wild dogs rock!!!<3
December 29, 2018
2nd read: March 2013
Buddy read with Jo
It was even funnier the 2nd time around!
1st read: November 2012
Buddy read with Maru
Buddy read with Jo
It was even funnier the 2nd time around!
1st read: November 2012
Buddy read with Maru
June 22, 2023
4 CLAIMING STARS
When Bobby Ray Smith aka "Smitty" left home for the Navy, he left someone behind. A young wild dog shifter named Jessie Ann. Jessie Ann, how had the distinction of being Bobby Ray's sister, Sissy's, favorite punching bag. In fact most girls in town targeted Jessie Ann. Because female wolves did that, but mostly because she was a wild down in a town full of wolves.
Sixteen years later, Bobby Ray is working a job with his partner, Mace, only to discover that Jessie Ann is not only the Alpha to her Pack of over forty, but she's also the CEO of one of the fastest rising tech security company. She's made a lot of friends on her way up, she's well respected and it, basically out of Smitty's league. Everyone says it. But Bobby Ray is determined to make her his friend again.
Jessie Ann is having none of it. In order to protect herself from being hurt again like she was when Bobby Ray left town, in essence leaving her behind, she fight her attraction and emotions, trying to keep him at arms length. The more he tries, the more he realizes there's more to their relationship than friendship and once steaming hot sex is involved, there is no going back for Bobby Ray. He wants to claim Jessie Ann, bud doesn't seem to know what to do when she keeps turning him down.
I love these books. Shelly Laurenston writes hysterically funny yet sexy characters. I loved when Sarah Morrighan and Zach Sheridan's show up. It made me want to read Pack Challenge, Magnus Pack, #1 again.
I also loved when Jessie Ann proves to both Sissy and Bobby Ray, she's not the same wild dog who runs away from a fight. She knows how to take care of herself and will go anything to protect the pups in the pack.
Great fun. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
When Bobby Ray Smith aka "Smitty" left home for the Navy, he left someone behind. A young wild dog shifter named Jessie Ann. Jessie Ann, how had the distinction of being Bobby Ray's sister, Sissy's, favorite punching bag. In fact most girls in town targeted Jessie Ann. Because female wolves did that, but mostly because she was a wild down in a town full of wolves.
Sixteen years later, Bobby Ray is working a job with his partner, Mace, only to discover that Jessie Ann is not only the Alpha to her Pack of over forty, but she's also the CEO of one of the fastest rising tech security company. She's made a lot of friends on her way up, she's well respected and it, basically out of Smitty's league. Everyone says it. But Bobby Ray is determined to make her his friend again.
Jessie Ann is having none of it. In order to protect herself from being hurt again like she was when Bobby Ray left town, in essence leaving her behind, she fight her attraction and emotions, trying to keep him at arms length. The more he tries, the more he realizes there's more to their relationship than friendship and once steaming hot sex is involved, there is no going back for Bobby Ray. He wants to claim Jessie Ann, bud doesn't seem to know what to do when she keeps turning him down.
I love these books. Shelly Laurenston writes hysterically funny yet sexy characters. I loved when Sarah Morrighan and Zach Sheridan's show up. It made me want to read Pack Challenge, Magnus Pack, #1 again.
I also loved when Jessie Ann proves to both Sissy and Bobby Ray, she's not the same wild dog who runs away from a fight. She knows how to take care of herself and will go anything to protect the pups in the pack.
Great fun. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
October 19, 2015
**UPDATE** Revisited this with the audiobook, since I've already re-read this a few times. Charlotte Kane does a great job with the narration and I would consider this the real start of the series, since the first book is more of a two novellas packaged together.
The Good, The Bad and Everything in Between
What I love about this book, which I think is the best in the series (although not my absolute fave) is that there's good humor, solid family relationships that are not easy and predicated on drilling on each other, much like real life siblings.
The story starts with Smitty getting ready to leave Smithtown for the Navy. He's pretty drunk when he saves Jess, an orphan wild dog shifter from being tormented by his pack's she-wolves, in particular his sister and her crew. This is a kind of second chance romance, but the reality is Jess had a crush and Smitty wouldn't go there because he was leaving and he didn't know when he'd be back.
Sixteen years later they meet again and Smitty is the alpha of the Smith pack in NY, working security with his Navy buddy Mace, when they are hired to run security for an event for Jess and her Kuznetsov pack. I love that Jess is alpha of her own pack of wild dogs, a smart, successful woman who doesn't need protecting and when she finally sees her tormentors again, she takes absolutely no crap from them. Plus she's a nerd, and I'll always have a soft spot for the nerdy heroines.
The chemistry when Smitty and Jess run into each other is pretty immediate, and I adore that she makes him WORK for her attention and for her love.
The Bottom Line
All in all, this is probably one of my all time favorite series and I highly recommend for those who love shifter romances with a good dose of funny.
The Good, The Bad and Everything in Between
What I love about this book, which I think is the best in the series (although not my absolute fave) is that there's good humor, solid family relationships that are not easy and predicated on drilling on each other, much like real life siblings.
The story starts with Smitty getting ready to leave Smithtown for the Navy. He's pretty drunk when he saves Jess, an orphan wild dog shifter from being tormented by his pack's she-wolves, in particular his sister and her crew. This is a kind of second chance romance, but the reality is Jess had a crush and Smitty wouldn't go there because he was leaving and he didn't know when he'd be back.
Sixteen years later they meet again and Smitty is the alpha of the Smith pack in NY, working security with his Navy buddy Mace, when they are hired to run security for an event for Jess and her Kuznetsov pack. I love that Jess is alpha of her own pack of wild dogs, a smart, successful woman who doesn't need protecting and when she finally sees her tormentors again, she takes absolutely no crap from them. Plus she's a nerd, and I'll always have a soft spot for the nerdy heroines.
The chemistry when Smitty and Jess run into each other is pretty immediate, and I adore that she makes him WORK for her attention and for her love.
The Bottom Line
All in all, this is probably one of my all time favorite series and I highly recommend for those who love shifter romances with a good dose of funny.
August 20, 2019
Rated 4.4 Stars
Gosh, I forgot just how ridiculously funny Ms. Laurenston is!! Good grief the woman should be in stand up comedy. I kid you not.
I'm ashamed to say that the last time I read one of her books was actually five years ago. I actually started reading this years ago, then the book must've gotten misplaced (probably on one of our moves). I found it again recently (in a box no less). So of course I had to finish it.
I absolutely love the mega funny stuff she puts in the story, and it most definitely had some 'gettin your groove on' moves. Like a lot of them. Me, personally, I prefer less sexy times, and more story filled in. I believe that's why 'some' authors put so many sex scenes in the book. It's so they don't have to be as creative with a story and can just use foreplay & sex as a filler. I like a few, but come on, 8-10 is overkill. Again, my opinion. So, I just skip over them when I've had my fill, lol. Btw, I am most certainly not referring to Ms. Laurenston in any way here. Although, she has her share of 'doing the wild thang', she totally makes up for it with her killer stories she invents. Like this one, it's a second chance romance, and a good one to beat. I will say though, her books are expensive, but very well worth it if you can swing it.
If you want or NEED TO LAUGH yourself silly, read any one of her books. They are all equally hilarious. She certainly aims to please in that category.
Gosh, I forgot just how ridiculously funny Ms. Laurenston is!! Good grief the woman should be in stand up comedy. I kid you not.
I'm ashamed to say that the last time I read one of her books was actually five years ago. I actually started reading this years ago, then the book must've gotten misplaced (probably on one of our moves). I found it again recently (in a box no less). So of course I had to finish it.
I absolutely love the mega funny stuff she puts in the story, and it most definitely had some 'gettin your groove on' moves. Like a lot of them. Me, personally, I prefer less sexy times, and more story filled in. I believe that's why 'some' authors put so many sex scenes in the book. It's so they don't have to be as creative with a story and can just use foreplay & sex as a filler. I like a few, but come on, 8-10 is overkill. Again, my opinion. So, I just skip over them when I've had my fill, lol. Btw, I am most certainly not referring to Ms. Laurenston in any way here. Although, she has her share of 'doing the wild thang', she totally makes up for it with her killer stories she invents. Like this one, it's a second chance romance, and a good one to beat. I will say though, her books are expensive, but very well worth it if you can swing it.
If you want or NEED TO LAUGH yourself silly, read any one of her books. They are all equally hilarious. She certainly aims to please in that category.
March 17, 2008
I woke up early this morning to finish this book. Now, I love to sleep, so that should be a hint as to how much I enjoyed this book.
Jessica has waited twelve years to get back at Bobby Ray Smith for rejecting her kiss before he left town to join the Navy...and boy was it worth it!! As one of Bobby Ray's friends said "...she shot your ass down like a jet over enemy territory." I snorted my way through this book. Between the shifter jokes (there are dogs, wolves, and lions...oh my) and the redneck attitudes (there's Bobby Ray, his daddy Bubba Rae, his sister Sissy Mae, his momma Janie Mae, Sissy's friend Ronnie Lee, etc) my sides were sore from laughing so much.
How Bobby Ray 'courts' Jessica is hilarious. I don't want to spoil it for the rest of you, but I can say that if you enjoy rednecks, shifters, and hot sex...grab this one quick!
Jessica has waited twelve years to get back at Bobby Ray Smith for rejecting her kiss before he left town to join the Navy...and boy was it worth it!! As one of Bobby Ray's friends said "...she shot your ass down like a jet over enemy territory." I snorted my way through this book. Between the shifter jokes (there are dogs, wolves, and lions...oh my) and the redneck attitudes (there's Bobby Ray, his daddy Bubba Rae, his sister Sissy Mae, his momma Janie Mae, Sissy's friend Ronnie Lee, etc) my sides were sore from laughing so much.
How Bobby Ray 'courts' Jessica is hilarious. I don't want to spoil it for the rest of you, but I can say that if you enjoy rednecks, shifters, and hot sex...grab this one quick!
December 18, 2022
2018 3rd re-read - love this one, Smitty and Jessie may be one of my favorite couples in this series.
September 13, 2016
What a FUN and sexy story. Why did it take me years to read this????
I started with this book (skipped bk 1 since two novellas) and listened to it - amazing narrator.
Highly recommend
I started with this book (skipped bk 1 since two novellas) and listened to it - amazing narrator.
Highly recommend
February 26, 2018
Soooooo, I was in a random store the other day and ran across a copy of Bite Me so I bought it.
Read it asap and had a BLAST. It started to make me wonder: Why hadn't I finshed reading the other books in this series? I know I love Shelly Laurenston and I've read a shitton of her work. I've read several other books in this universe but not this series. I went rambling in my SABLE library and realized I owned books 1-7... Why no read? (Besides my FI,LO policy y'all!!)
So I started reading Pride. Knocked books 1.1 & 1.2 down with no issues.
Picked this book up and...immediately discovered why I never read this series: THIS BOOK. I read the Magnus Pack and the shorts in this series...but I picked this one up to read first. And I did not enjoy what I was reading. I DNF'd this book years ago and never looked at the series again. Even when I read the shorts in this series, I didn't bother with the novels (until Bite Me).
So.
Here we go again. Will I finish it? Will I DNF it? IDK, but whatever happens I will finish the series this time! CHALLENGE!
----------
Upon Skim-finishing:
It was soooooo MEH. So meh. There was sooo much I could not give two shits about. The best parts, to me, were the situations with Jess's adoptive son. That was heartwarming.
But I finished! Boom!
Read it asap and had a BLAST. It started to make me wonder: Why hadn't I finshed reading the other books in this series? I know I love Shelly Laurenston and I've read a shitton of her work. I've read several other books in this universe but not this series. I went rambling in my SABLE library and realized I owned books 1-7... Why no read? (Besides my FI,LO policy y'all!!)
So I started reading Pride. Knocked books 1.1 & 1.2 down with no issues.
Picked this book up and...immediately discovered why I never read this series: THIS BOOK. I read the Magnus Pack and the shorts in this series...but I picked this one up to read first. And I did not enjoy what I was reading. I DNF'd this book years ago and never looked at the series again. Even when I read the shorts in this series, I didn't bother with the novels (until Bite Me).
So.
Here we go again. Will I finish it? Will I DNF it? IDK, but whatever happens I will finish the series this time! CHALLENGE!
----------
Upon Skim-finishing:
It was soooooo MEH. So meh. There was sooo much I could not give two shits about. The best parts, to me, were the situations with Jess's adoptive son. That was heartwarming.
But I finished! Boom!
October 5, 2019
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.
This book has a similar storyline to it that book one has (or at least the first part of book one). We have Bobby Ray Smith, Smitty to his friends, the alpha wolf of New York, who gets a second chance with his high school friend, that he never dated or slept with because she was “special” to him. He leaves her to join the Navy and eventually become a SEAL. Now he is in New York and is the business partner to a lion and former SEAL team member, Mace.
Jessica Ward is an extremely prominent CEO of a data security company. She is also the alpha of the local wild dog pack. She has grown up a lot since she was known as Jessie Ann and was always hiding under bleachers in school, though she still always has her nose in a book (but who can blame her for that?) She does still like to run from confrontation, as is her wild dog nature. The wild dogs are a pretty wild pack that are not as rough and tumble as the wolves and a lot more fun.
Once again, in this book, Laurenston uses many natural behaviors of each species. She talks about Jessie running and hiding a lot, which wild dogs would do, since they are not the largest predators in Africa. I wish she had done more with the hunting aspect of this species. Wild dogs have one of, if not the highest, success rate when they hunt of any predator in the wild. They have a great strategy and work extremely well as a team. They can make wolves look almost unorganized on a hunt. I think this could have been used in this story.
Even though this series takes place in New York City, many of the characters originated from the south. These stories have been full of “Southernisms”, which I think add to the humor. I’m originally from south Georgia and then spent middle and high school years in a suburb of Atlanta. I’m very familiar with many of the stereotypes that are used. Hell, I bet many of my relatives fall into similar mannerisms. That being said, I am getting a little sick of every person using two names in their everyday lives. I’ve never used more than just my first name, and that was usually shortened to just “Mel”. I didn’t have friends or family that did the double name thing (none that I remember anyway). I get a few of these, but not every person from the south is named Billy Joe or Bobbie Sue.
So far, this series doesn’t have the strong plot lines that some other PNR stories will have. There isn’t usually a huge conflict or mystery to solve, usually it is secondary part of the story. There isn’t an overlying story arc that I’ve seen in the first two book (three stories, since book one is two novellas together). The characters are a lot of fun. The way the different species groups are described are wonderful. Tons of humor exists in each book. I really enjoy this series as a nice light-hearted listen to liven up my mood.
The narration was still good. However, in this series, she didn’t New York characters as much, with the accents that I loved. That is what made me love her so much the first time I listened. However, I still think she did okay with the stereotypical Southern accent, of which there were many. I don’t think I can rank her as high on this one. I still like it, but it was really the Brooklyn and Bronx accents that I loved last time, and she just didn’t have the characters to show that off in this story. I will still continue to listen to the series. I just hope we get more of the New York accents.
This book has a similar storyline to it that book one has (or at least the first part of book one). We have Bobby Ray Smith, Smitty to his friends, the alpha wolf of New York, who gets a second chance with his high school friend, that he never dated or slept with because she was “special” to him. He leaves her to join the Navy and eventually become a SEAL. Now he is in New York and is the business partner to a lion and former SEAL team member, Mace.
Jessica Ward is an extremely prominent CEO of a data security company. She is also the alpha of the local wild dog pack. She has grown up a lot since she was known as Jessie Ann and was always hiding under bleachers in school, though she still always has her nose in a book (but who can blame her for that?) She does still like to run from confrontation, as is her wild dog nature. The wild dogs are a pretty wild pack that are not as rough and tumble as the wolves and a lot more fun.
Once again, in this book, Laurenston uses many natural behaviors of each species. She talks about Jessie running and hiding a lot, which wild dogs would do, since they are not the largest predators in Africa. I wish she had done more with the hunting aspect of this species. Wild dogs have one of, if not the highest, success rate when they hunt of any predator in the wild. They have a great strategy and work extremely well as a team. They can make wolves look almost unorganized on a hunt. I think this could have been used in this story.
Even though this series takes place in New York City, many of the characters originated from the south. These stories have been full of “Southernisms”, which I think add to the humor. I’m originally from south Georgia and then spent middle and high school years in a suburb of Atlanta. I’m very familiar with many of the stereotypes that are used. Hell, I bet many of my relatives fall into similar mannerisms. That being said, I am getting a little sick of every person using two names in their everyday lives. I’ve never used more than just my first name, and that was usually shortened to just “Mel”. I didn’t have friends or family that did the double name thing (none that I remember anyway). I get a few of these, but not every person from the south is named Billy Joe or Bobbie Sue.
So far, this series doesn’t have the strong plot lines that some other PNR stories will have. There isn’t usually a huge conflict or mystery to solve, usually it is secondary part of the story. There isn’t an overlying story arc that I’ve seen in the first two book (three stories, since book one is two novellas together). The characters are a lot of fun. The way the different species groups are described are wonderful. Tons of humor exists in each book. I really enjoy this series as a nice light-hearted listen to liven up my mood.
The narration was still good. However, in this series, she didn’t New York characters as much, with the accents that I loved. That is what made me love her so much the first time I listened. However, I still think she did okay with the stereotypical Southern accent, of which there were many. I don’t think I can rank her as high on this one. I still like it, but it was really the Brooklyn and Bronx accents that I loved last time, and she just didn’t have the characters to show that off in this story. I will still continue to listen to the series. I just hope we get more of the New York accents.
October 7, 2017
This review was updated on A Weebish Book Blog as part of my TBT Review feature. Review publishes on 10/05/2017.
When I pick up a Pride novel, I know I’ll enjoy every minute I spend with Laurenston’s furry characters. THE BEAST IN HIM tells the story of Bobbie Ray and “the one that got away”, Jessica Ward. While I wouldn’t consider their story my favorite of the series, it features some of my favorite characters—the wild dogs! The wild dogs are some of the smallest of the shifters, but what they lack in size they make up in quirkiness and cunning.
Jessica Ward grew up as the only wild dog in a small, Tennessee town ran by the infamous Smith wolves that Bobbie Ray’s father controls. Bullied and bruised, Jessica survived at the bottom of the food chain all of her life—but grew up to be an extremely successful CEO and Alpha female to the biggest wild dog pack in America. When she realizes the boy who broke her heart has moved to New York to stay, she hires his new security company on to show Bobbie Ray how much she’s grown up since the days she used to follow him around with stars in her eyes.
Jessica is as sweet (and klutzy) as they come, until someone comes between her and the Kuznetsov Pack’s young. She’s a fierce predator wrapped in a geeky package and Bobby Ray just can’t seem to resist her. She has an elegant shield she wears for the outside world, but when it’s just her and her friends, she’s nerdy, adorable, and loves to chase her tail. Plus, she’s nerdy. What bookworm wouldn’t identify with a nerdy character?
Bobbie Ray Smith is one of many sons of the Alpha of Smithtown. He moved his small pack up to New York to start his own little pack. When he “bumps” into Jessie Ann all grown up and living large, he thinks she’ll fall right into his arms just like old times. Boy is he wrong. Instead, she barely wants anything to do with the man who rejected her all those years ago, and ignores his advances.
While there were some seriously cute moments for Bobby Ray, Jessica stole my heart. He goes from slut to a one woman man as soon as he sees Jessie Ann again. Not that I didn’t find his character entertaining, and I’m certainly not bashing his slutty ways (the sluttier, the better!), but it’s just not all that believable that the guy changes his whole personality all in one day. It felt very instalove and honestly, I kinda liked him the way he was... Thankfully, the man’s charismatic personality saved him for me. If you love Mace, you will love Bobbie Ray. He may even turn you into a dog person! Woof, woof.
All-in-all THE BEAST IN HIM is a goofy yet sexy sequel that I’ve read many times. It’s full of laughter, my favorite furry characters, and lots of heat! If you haven’t given the Pride series a shot, you are missing out!
When I pick up a Pride novel, I know I’ll enjoy every minute I spend with Laurenston’s furry characters. THE BEAST IN HIM tells the story of Bobbie Ray and “the one that got away”, Jessica Ward. While I wouldn’t consider their story my favorite of the series, it features some of my favorite characters—the wild dogs! The wild dogs are some of the smallest of the shifters, but what they lack in size they make up in quirkiness and cunning.
Jessica Ward grew up as the only wild dog in a small, Tennessee town ran by the infamous Smith wolves that Bobbie Ray’s father controls. Bullied and bruised, Jessica survived at the bottom of the food chain all of her life—but grew up to be an extremely successful CEO and Alpha female to the biggest wild dog pack in America. When she realizes the boy who broke her heart has moved to New York to stay, she hires his new security company on to show Bobbie Ray how much she’s grown up since the days she used to follow him around with stars in her eyes.
Jessica is as sweet (and klutzy) as they come, until someone comes between her and the Kuznetsov Pack’s young. She’s a fierce predator wrapped in a geeky package and Bobby Ray just can’t seem to resist her. She has an elegant shield she wears for the outside world, but when it’s just her and her friends, she’s nerdy, adorable, and loves to chase her tail. Plus, she’s nerdy. What bookworm wouldn’t identify with a nerdy character?
Bobbie Ray Smith is one of many sons of the Alpha of Smithtown. He moved his small pack up to New York to start his own little pack. When he “bumps” into Jessie Ann all grown up and living large, he thinks she’ll fall right into his arms just like old times. Boy is he wrong. Instead, she barely wants anything to do with the man who rejected her all those years ago, and ignores his advances.
While there were some seriously cute moments for Bobby Ray, Jessica stole my heart. He goes from slut to a one woman man as soon as he sees Jessie Ann again. Not that I didn’t find his character entertaining, and I’m certainly not bashing his slutty ways (the sluttier, the better!), but it’s just not all that believable that the guy changes his whole personality all in one day. It felt very instalove and honestly, I kinda liked him the way he was... Thankfully, the man’s charismatic personality saved him for me. If you love Mace, you will love Bobbie Ray. He may even turn you into a dog person! Woof, woof.
All-in-all THE BEAST IN HIM is a goofy yet sexy sequel that I’ve read many times. It’s full of laughter, my favorite furry characters, and lots of heat! If you haven’t given the Pride series a shot, you are missing out!
September 28, 2011
Shelly Laurenston is my hero! I swear, every book I've read of hers just keeps me laughing and marking quotes to laugh over later. If you've never read one of her books, just read ONE! You'll soon devour the rest. I thought this series was more romance/erotica, and it is. But it's so much more. There's always a great plot, lots of action, tons and tons of humor, and I've never really laughed so much during a sexy scene. Don't get me wrong, she can write some hot and steamy love scenes. These men that are in Ms. Laurenston's head are just yummy.
Smitty is the epitome of a Smith Alpha Male. But he's always had a soft spot for Jessie, ever since they were teenagers. He tried to treat her like he thought she'd want to be treated, nice and sweet. And I think like a lot of women out there, Jessie doesn't want sweet. She wants to know that she can make him lose control. Boy, this book is full of goodies! You just want to smack him upside the head and latch on to him at the same time. Go, Smitty! That's my ramble.
Smitty is the epitome of a Smith Alpha Male. But he's always had a soft spot for Jessie, ever since they were teenagers. He tried to treat her like he thought she'd want to be treated, nice and sweet. And I think like a lot of women out there, Jessie doesn't want sweet. She wants to know that she can make him lose control. Boy, this book is full of goodies! You just want to smack him upside the head and latch on to him at the same time. Go, Smitty! That's my ramble.
March 6, 2011
Love love Loved IT!!
All i can is is Fried Chicken and Cherry Cobler!!!
I love this series!!
All i can is is Fried Chicken and Cherry Cobler!!!
I love this series!!
January 5, 2016
Read 2 times
02/18/2014
suuuuuper funny! and adorable!
12/24/2014
I love Jess Ward and her wild dog pack with my whole entire heart.
Added one star... because I LOVE it now
02/18/2014
suuuuuper funny! and adorable!
12/24/2014
I love Jess Ward and her wild dog pack with my whole entire heart.
Added one star... because I LOVE it now
July 14, 2018
The book is completely fine. We just don't click KWIM? DNF @17%
August 3, 2015
9/3 - Why are all the shifter women so CRAZY? Constantly attacking each other, tearing each other apart (literally and metaphorically) - it makes it hard to like any of them except Jessi(ca)e Ann (for unexplained reasons dogs don't get violent with each other or other species like the wolves, hyenas, bears, lions, and all the other shifter species in Laurenston's supernatural world). I can't stand Smitty's sister Sissy Mae and can't imagine enjoying her story, if there is one. She, and Ronnie Lee, were so horrible to Jessica when they were younger nothing Laurenston wrote would ever evince a sympathetic response from me towards her.
Hot and steamy sex scenes galore and lots of highly amusing "Why doesn't she call me?" (or some variation on that theme) angst from Smitty. I just love the plot lines where the big, bad alpha male who is known for loving them and leaving them finally meets his match, only to come to the realisation that she doesn't find him as fascinating as he does her (or, at least, that's what she's trying to tell herself, to begin with). To be continued...
11/3 - Not sure I get the appeal of being grievously scared in the same place over and over. The amount of fighting that goes on between the Smith Pack and all the other packs should cause enough scarring without encouraging your mate to add to them. My heart surgery scars get itchy and are irritated by the littlest thing (and they're 25 years old). Having someone frequently open up the scar (through precise surgery or imprecise biting) would, I can only imagine, create a dreadful mess - damaging nerves and causing numbness through the repeated damage. That whole scenario does not work for me, it doesn't engender a feeling of sexiness at all, it just makes me wince in sympathy for how bad the scar will be after a few years of being torn at repeatedly.
I want to read Kristan and Johnny's story - a story of young love (they should be in their late teens or early twenties) with Kristan the firecracker wolfdog and Johnny the sensitive wolf growing up in the care of dogs (doesn't the story just write itself?).
Hot and steamy sex scenes galore and lots of highly amusing "Why doesn't she call me?" (or some variation on that theme) angst from Smitty. I just love the plot lines where the big, bad alpha male who is known for loving them and leaving them finally meets his match, only to come to the realisation that she doesn't find him as fascinating as he does her (or, at least, that's what she's trying to tell herself, to begin with). To be continued...
11/3 - Not sure I get the appeal of being grievously scared in the same place over and over. The amount of fighting that goes on between the Smith Pack and all the other packs should cause enough scarring without encouraging your mate to add to them. My heart surgery scars get itchy and are irritated by the littlest thing (and they're 25 years old). Having someone frequently open up the scar (through precise surgery or imprecise biting) would, I can only imagine, create a dreadful mess - damaging nerves and causing numbness through the repeated damage. That whole scenario does not work for me, it doesn't engender a feeling of sexiness at all, it just makes me wince in sympathy for how bad the scar will be after a few years of being torn at repeatedly.
I want to read Kristan and Johnny's story - a story of young love (they should be in their late teens or early twenties) with Kristan the firecracker wolfdog and Johnny the sensitive wolf growing up in the care of dogs (doesn't the story just write itself?).
February 8, 2017
Die Charaktere dieser Reihe haben alle einen kompletten Dachschaden. Wirklich alle. Aber es ist so witzig und unterhaltsam, dass man sie einfach alle zusammen knuddeln möchte. Sie stechen dadurch heraus, sind nicht so wie andere Paranormal Romance-Figuren und erhalten Wiedererkennungswert. Auch die Strukturen der verschiedenen Familien mag ich sehr. Oft ist es eine seltsame Art von Hassliebe, die für viele Lacher und Wärme sorgt.
Angenehm ist es auch, dass Smitty und Jessie Ann sich bereits von früher kennen. Man überspringt als Leser also die Kennenlernphase und beginnt direkt bei einer Szene, in der die beiden nach vielen Jahren wieder aufeinander treffen.
Bei Smitty flammen die Gefühle aus der Jugend wieder auf und er will Jessie für sich gewinnen. Jessie dagegen ist fest überzeugt, über Smitty hinweg zu sein. Dadurch kommen natürlich hitzige und humorvolle Dialoge zu Stande, die immer on point sind und einen durch die Geschichte fliegen lassen, obwohl der hintergründige Plot um eine externe Bedrohung eher lahm war. Jessie wird erpresst und Smitty will ihr helfen. Wirklich Spannung kam da nicht auf, da die Autorin sich die Zeit gar nicht genommen hat, eine wirkliche Bedrohung daraus zu machen. Aber das war auch nicht weiter wild, die Geschichte ließ mich auch so am Ball bleiben. Diese Reihe werde ich weiterverfolgen, denn diesen Band mochte ich eindeutig lieber als seinen Vorgänger.
Angenehm ist es auch, dass Smitty und Jessie Ann sich bereits von früher kennen. Man überspringt als Leser also die Kennenlernphase und beginnt direkt bei einer Szene, in der die beiden nach vielen Jahren wieder aufeinander treffen.
Bei Smitty flammen die Gefühle aus der Jugend wieder auf und er will Jessie für sich gewinnen. Jessie dagegen ist fest überzeugt, über Smitty hinweg zu sein. Dadurch kommen natürlich hitzige und humorvolle Dialoge zu Stande, die immer on point sind und einen durch die Geschichte fliegen lassen, obwohl der hintergründige Plot um eine externe Bedrohung eher lahm war. Jessie wird erpresst und Smitty will ihr helfen. Wirklich Spannung kam da nicht auf, da die Autorin sich die Zeit gar nicht genommen hat, eine wirkliche Bedrohung daraus zu machen. Aber das war auch nicht weiter wild, die Geschichte ließ mich auch so am Ball bleiben. Diese Reihe werde ich weiterverfolgen, denn diesen Band mochte ich eindeutig lieber als seinen Vorgänger.
November 28, 2016
This one was very nice ^^
- I liked the hero since book one but here he was funny, and I liked him more ^^, and I loved the heroine she was funny and quirky and geeky and I so wanna be in her Pack XD
- I liked how the heroine pulled herself from being the weird awkward girl to being an alpha of her own pack and a multimillionaire company owner XD
- I liked how since they were kids she was so special to him, I know he was a big reason in here that she was bullied but it was obvious his affections were real and deep, and it was so cute when Sissy would taunts him on how he used to act before around the heroine.
- I liked how she built her own pack and how close they were, it was fun to watch them and I loved to read about them, how they had each others back, how they enjoyed each other, how they used each other to have fun, I especially liked her original four especially Phil and Sabina XD
- I have to say I hated Sissy the hero's sister in the book because she used to bully the heroine
- I loved the Johnny story, it was so like the heroine that's why she insists on protecting him, and I loved how protective he became of her, his very own surrogate mother.
- I loooooooved how the hero's parents got so attached to the heroine especially the dad is reaction was soooooo cute and adorable especially in the epilogue XD
Overall, *thumbs up*
- I liked the hero since book one but here he was funny, and I liked him more ^^, and I loved the heroine she was funny and quirky and geeky and I so wanna be in her Pack XD
- I liked how the heroine pulled herself from being the weird awkward girl to being an alpha of her own pack and a multimillionaire company owner XD
- I liked how since they were kids she was so special to him, I know he was a big reason in here that she was bullied but it was obvious his affections were real and deep, and it was so cute when Sissy would taunts him on how he used to act before around the heroine.
- I liked how she built her own pack and how close they were, it was fun to watch them and I loved to read about them, how they had each others back, how they enjoyed each other, how they used each other to have fun, I especially liked her original four especially Phil and Sabina XD
- I have to say I hated Sissy the hero's sister in the book because she used to bully the heroine
- I loved the Johnny story, it was so like the heroine that's why she insists on protecting him, and I loved how protective he became of her, his very own surrogate mother.
- I loooooooved how the hero's parents got so attached to the heroine especially the dad is reaction was soooooo cute and adorable especially in the epilogue XD
Overall, *thumbs up*
May 1, 2016
This story didn't start off too well for me. First, a she-dog...SMH...? Second, our male character is gone for 16 years, I was not feeling the plot of this story. But, I hung in there. Why? Because, any story with an alpha female and I'm all in. So, I put aside all the various shifters element, and just focused on a boy and girl becoming a couple. That's when I let the story take root.
I really liked The Mane Event, but the snarky animal banter in this tale was hilarious. I usually give best lines in a scene, but there are just too many to mention them all.
As, I expected Jessie was an awesome story heroine. She was not only seccessful, but also a great leader, and very loving. Our man Smitty, so funny, and so dumb when it came to Jessie Ann. He was simply adorable!
Yes, I ended up loving this story. I wish the author would have given us some insight into the missing 16 years on both of our couple, but it was an awesome read for me anyway.
The moral to this story.... You gotta push a man away until you pull him in, and you absolutely gotta run away from him until you catch him!
This story has become a favorite, and my plan is a re-read along with the audio. Excellent read!
I really liked The Mane Event, but the snarky animal banter in this tale was hilarious. I usually give best lines in a scene, but there are just too many to mention them all.
As, I expected Jessie was an awesome story heroine. She was not only seccessful, but also a great leader, and very loving. Our man Smitty, so funny, and so dumb when it came to Jessie Ann. He was simply adorable!
Yes, I ended up loving this story. I wish the author would have given us some insight into the missing 16 years on both of our couple, but it was an awesome read for me anyway.
The moral to this story.... You gotta push a man away until you pull him in, and you absolutely gotta run away from him until you catch him!
This story has become a favorite, and my plan is a re-read along with the audio. Excellent read!
February 16, 2010
Laurenston continues to deliver that humor that sucked me in with the first book. I have to admit that I was skeptical with Bobby Ray having his own story but I was happy with how it turned out. I liked Jessie Ann's character alot. I felt so bad that she had been bullied for so long. She was the true underdog.
Story:
Bobby Ray was first introduced in the Mane Event as Mace's partner. He's now in NYC running a security company that was hired by Jessie Ann. The two share a history from childhood. She was a tiny wild dog that got picked on by a pack of She-Wolves and he was the guy who always came to her rescue until he left for the Navy. So now that their paths have crossed again, Jessie vow to make Bobby Ray "Smitty" pay for leaving her.
The story is good because you get to see glimpses of old characters. The chemistry between Smitty and Jessie was definitely there and it was good to see how she tried not to fall for him and he tried not to hurt her. I love the family dynamics in this book, although I really disliked Sissy Mae's character. She was mean and cruel. I almost don't want to read her story, but of course I can't resist.
Story:
Bobby Ray was first introduced in the Mane Event as Mace's partner. He's now in NYC running a security company that was hired by Jessie Ann. The two share a history from childhood. She was a tiny wild dog that got picked on by a pack of She-Wolves and he was the guy who always came to her rescue until he left for the Navy. So now that their paths have crossed again, Jessie vow to make Bobby Ray "Smitty" pay for leaving her.
The story is good because you get to see glimpses of old characters. The chemistry between Smitty and Jessie was definitely there and it was good to see how she tried not to fall for him and he tried not to hurt her. I love the family dynamics in this book, although I really disliked Sissy Mae's character. She was mean and cruel. I almost don't want to read her story, but of course I can't resist.
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