I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘In a Badger Way’ and following the characters through all of the drama. It was a crazy, exuberant amount of stimulation.

However, it’s not as powerful as a romance. The romance progresses like a game of hopscotch where you have to jump from square 1 to 4 and then to 12 since there is so much narrative and so many characters. Much of the emotional interrogation, or even courting, had already ended before it had begun.

Additionally, the internal conflict and the aspects of character development I most desired were less evident than the many forces working against the heroine(s) because there was so much going on with so many people.

Still, when I talk about this book, I can’t help but smile broadly. It took me a day and a half to read. I left out a couple of things to go read. Basically, I had a great time reading this narrative, even though I can see the romance’s shortcomings and it would take me about 30 minutes to explain the scenario.

In the first, Charlie and Berg meet and fall in love; in this one, Stevie’s narrative is told. She is an international celebrity, a child prodigy, a scientific and musical talent, and incredibly intelligent.

She is also a tiger/honey badger shifter, and while she is a large, violent, terrible hybrid with little self-control when transformed, most other shifters are unaware of her altered appearance. In addition, Stevie suffers from severe anxiety, melancholy, and panic disorder.

She takes medication under close supervision in an attempt to keep herself from freaking out, moving, and causing damage worth a few million dollars. It takes place.

Shen Li shifts like a panda. Naturally, if there is going to be a terrifyingly large predator shifter, her ideal partner would be a contented, easygoing panda who enjoys eating bamboo and is also quite lethal. when he should be. Probably not at this time, though.

In addition to being recruited to guard Kyle, a supporting character who is likewise a young prodigy and artistic genius who is often obnoxious—as are many of the other characters—Shen also winds herself defending Stevie, at times from outside threats and at other times from her own self.

I really liked a lot of aspects of the way this narrative was written. To start, both Stevie’s shifting side and her mental problems are accepted as natural parts of who she is. She can’t help but feel that she should give up her lethal, dangerous shifter side, even if she would really like to. Compared to her shifting identity, she is more tolerant and understanding of her panic and anxiety.

In different ways, Shen and the other characters help Stevie come to terms with her shifting identity and all of herself. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the sequences where Stevie and her sister honestly seek out therapy, medication, and mental support for their individual issues. I found them to be rather poignant.

Shen shares with Stevie in a few moments how he keeps himself happy as well as how she accepts and integrates every part of herself. His capacity to embrace the moment and accept himself are both important components of his contentment (particularly when he’s carrying a duffel bag filled with bamboo, which the other shifters find hilarious when he chews on it).

He is a harmonious, well-rounded person. He also stands in stark contrast to Stevie, who on the one hand is a gigantic, uncaring predator and, on the other, a creative, compassionate, and empathic human being. They make a fascinating duo.

Stevie’s scientific brain may think otherwise, but Shen and almost everyone else believe this is a bad concept that is unlikely to work. However, the same question keeps coming up: why does Stevie accept her brilliant mind, her intelligence, and her mental health issues so well, but not her shifter side? What if she was able to value and accept each one of them?

As Every Problem And There Are So Many takes over the plot, the themes of mental health and the differences between Shen and Stevie gradually take a backseat. The scenes become shorter, the point of view shifts more frequently, and it becomes harder to put the book down once the tale gets going—and boy, does it get going.

Stevie, Max, and Charlie have a lot on their plate, and a lot of people to deal with—either by reason, persuasion, or ass-kicking. The majority of the extended honey badger tribe hasn’t had any interaction with the three of them, and their father is the most despised guy in their family.

They all think of themselves as being on their alone, so it’s hilarious to watch the three of them discover that they have allies in Berg and his siblings, the broader bear clan, and various honey badger family members.

Money is missing, there is a large-scale family funeral involving rival groups within their extended family, there is a science problem, there is a ballet problem, there is a soccer problem, and if I continue, there will be too many words.

Stevie and her sisters must resolve issues that arise amongst them, as well as issues that pertain to them and the world around them. Apart from Shen’s grumpiness over everyone thinking he’s in a relationship but he hasn’t, except that he kind of has because he accepts himself and his feelings for Stevie fairly easily, Stevie’s romance isn’t really a problem. Little romantic tension exists.

A little bit more sexual tension. Oh yeah, there’s narrative tension here. Hold on tight and avoid consuming too much caffeine while reading.

The attention given to the tension between Stevie, who as a human cares a lot, very much, about everything and everyone to the point that it makes her extremely anxious, and her shifter side, which, as half a honey badger, doesn’t give a shit about anything, is the part I wanted more of and the part I’m thinking about the most as I write this.

Then there’s Shen, a contented, easygoing panda shifter who knows exactly who he is. I felt a tiny bit envious of his composure. The contrasts in their personalities offer much to consider.

Whenever I read a Laurenston book, I usually find myself asking myself questions underneath the camp, behind the ostentatious storyline, beneath the people who pick on each other and the scenery. My sister crows—who are they? What is it that I should care about that I don’t need to?

In this instance, I see Shen, who is content and laid back, and Stevie, who is struggling with herself and attempting to change a part of who she is. Since I’d like to have more and more of self acceptance and cheerful, content, mellow equanimity, I question myself, what’s getting in the way and how can I get rid of it, while I read this book.

What if “being myself” was the only thing that was truly amazing?

Even if I wish there had been more sexual tension in the plot, Laurenston books always provide me with the chance to reflect on my own experiences as I read about many hybrid shifters, shifter families that carry rocket launchers, and shifter parties.

In a Badger Way Buying Options

Mora Paranormal Romance Books

Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, The Crimson Books may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

About the Author

Sarah Patel

Sarah Patel is an ardent reader and a lover of diverse narratives. Her curiosity drives her to explore books across multiple genres, from fantasy and science fiction to contemporary fiction and memoirs.

With a degree in Creative Writing, Sarah has a profound appreciation for storytelling and character development.