Wolf With Benefits
By: Shelly Laurenston
Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?
Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…My Thoughts
Shelly Laurenston seems to be back on track with her newest book after seemingly jumping the shark for the last few books. Ricky Lee Reed, one of those ornery Reed wolves from down south is paired up with Antonella “Toni,” a jackal. Annoying at times but ultimately a fun read, I enjoyed my time back in the pride world Laurenston has created.
Antonella finds herself at a crossroads. Extremely attached to her needy family, she feels as if she may be wasting her life taking care of them. Other relationships, romantic or otherwise, have suffered because of her close relationship. A friend of a friend finds Toni a job that she is quite qualified for but feels as if she’s leaving her family.
Who is a perfect match for an obsessive compulsive jackal with family issues except for a laid back wolf shifter who has his own crazy family? Ricky has appeared in numerous Laurenston books so he will be familiar, but to be honest, I don’t know really what sets him apart from her other heroes that have appeared before. They are all a little wacky, definitely quirky, and a little weird but lovable.
To be honest, this book was cute but not unique. I think so much time was spent trying to be funny that the actual romance and relationships between characters suffered. The pace of the book seemed off, speeding up in some areas and being incredibly slow in others. There was a botched kidnapping and a villain towards the end, but it didn’t seem fleshed out and frankly still is a bit confusing.
Overall, I did enjoy Wolf with Benefits. Toni was cute and I adored her absolute ordinary nature. She wasn’t a genius or an extraordinary artist, just a girl trying to get through life and annoyed by the wild neighbor wolf. I almost gave up Laurenston’s Pride Series after the last book, (oye, still shaking my head at that one) but I’m glad I didn’t.
Book Details
Publisher: Brava
# of Pages: 400
Date of Publication: March 26, 2013
ISBN: 978-0758265220
Source: NetGalley Advanced Reader Copy
Challenges
#24 for the 2013 E-Book Challenge
#26 for the 2013 Women's Reading Challenge
#28 for the 100 Books in a Year Challenge
#28 for the 150+ Books in a Year Challenge
#20 for the 2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
#24 for the 2013 Where are You Reading Challenge {Raleigh, North Carolina}
#24 for the 2013 E-Book Challenge
#26 for the 2013 Women's Reading Challenge
#28 for the 100 Books in a Year Challenge
#28 for the 150+ Books in a Year Challenge
#20 for the 2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
#24 for the 2013 Where are You Reading Challenge {Raleigh, North Carolina}
#1 for the 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge (Werewolves)
