Friday, August 24, 2018

Review: The Beast in Him



Author Shelly Laurenston 
Format e-book 
Print Length 325 pages 
Publisher Brava 
Published April 1, 2008 



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 turn 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 twenty-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 loveable 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… 



My Opinion 


Jessie Ann, a wild dog shifter, was a complete geek in high school, so far from a nerd that it was unreal. Smitty tried to protect her from his sister, Sissy and her little pack of wolf shifting bullies but at times it was hard. Jessie Ann did not make it easy on herself either. Which Smitty, of course, told her time and time again. Jessie Ann had a crush on Smitty but did not let him know, then right before he goes into the Navy they almost have a romantic moment. At the last minute, he pulls back and this embarrasses Jessie Ann to no end. Fast forward about fifteen years later (give or take) and Jessie Anne is a CEO of a multimillion dollar company and an alpha female of her own wild dog pack. Smitty runs into and is thrown when she doesn’t remember him, since he has never and could never for her. 

This book had me laughing from the get go. Jessica is just too funny and Smitty is just too alpha male to know what to do with her. He is a southern gentleman to a T and on top of that a guy who wants to protect what is his. To be clear, he has always seen Jessie Ann as his even if she hasn’t known it. I love how she gives him the run around every single time. She knows just what she is doing to rope him in and make his world crazy. I love that she pushes his buttons just to get his goat. She does not want him treating her with white gloves but with her raise in power and money that what he does. 

There is conflict in this book and I love how it is handled. The reason for the conflict, is a bit heartbreaking. The wild dogs are extremely protective of their young and I can see why Jessie Ann and her pack go on the defense. I was surprised to see Smitty’s folks come up to New York. Nothing like a bunch of hicks to smooth out those rough northern ways of doing things. 

I really enjoyed this book way more than the first. It had me instantly one-clicking the next in the series, even though I was furious at Sissy Mae. My only complaint about the series is that not every southern has double names. I grew up in Georgia and only two girls in my graduating class had a double name. I currently teach in Georgia, in the fifteen years that I have been teaching I only had one student with a double name. For those of you who don’t know that is where a person is called by their first and middle name. If you are in need a shifter book that can be serious and still make you laugh out loud this is the one for you. 

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars 


Favorite Quote "She-wolves were real simple to understand if you followed three simple rules: Don’t irritate them, don’t stare them down unless you’ve got a death wish or you’re sure you can take them, and don’t irritate them." 


Other People 

Phil- Beta to Jessie Ann’s alpha 
Sissy Mae- Smitty’s sister 
Mace- Smitty’s bestie

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