The Mane Squeeze- Shelly Laurenston (book 4)

Growing up on the tough Philly streets, Gwen O'Neill has learned how to fend for herself. But what is she supposed to do with a nice, suburban Jersey boy in the form of a massive Grizzly shifter? Especially one with a rather unhealthy fetish for honey, moose, and…uh…well, her. Yet despite his menacing ursine growl and four-inch claws, Gwen finds Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie cute and really sweet. He actually watches out for her, protects her, and unlike the rest of her out-of-control family manages not to morbidly embarrass her. Too bad cats don't believe in forever.  At nearly seven feet tall, Lock is used to people responding to him in two ways: screaming and running away. Gwen-half lioness, half tigress, all kick-ass-does neither. She's sexy beyond belief and smart as hell, but she's a born protector. Watching out for the family and friends closest to her but missing the fact that she's being stalked by a murderous enemy who doesn't like hybrids…and absolutely hates Gwen. Lock probably shouldn't get involved, but he will. Why? Because this is Gwen-and no matter what the hissing, roaring, drape destroying feline says about not being ready to settle down, Lock knows he can't simply walk away. Not when she's come to mean absolutely everything to him.

Book 4 oh I loved you, you are my favorite of this series so far. I laughed until I almost peed my pants on one part of this book, but honestly most of it was funny and sweet. Gwen so far is also my favorite female lead from the series and Lock is defiantly my favorite male- all nearly seven feet of him. Umm yeah, what a man or bear whatever you want to call him he is just great. He is a gentle giant and funny. Lock knew he was interested in Gwen the first time he saw her at the wedding but it took weeks before they ran into each other again. It's so hard for me to talk about this book without just gushing and going overboard telling the whole story. He wanted to take their "dating" slow but she wanted to speed things up because she thought he would be just a hit and run which most cats do. Her best friend Blayne loves the idea of Gwen and Loch together and so do all of her wild dog friends but her brother Mitch and his half-brother Brendon do NOT like her dating a bear. Gwen and Blayne leave Philly to move to NY to take over Blayne's dads business and Mitch is not happy over that either, he thinks he is protecting his baby sister, who happens to be 26 years old. Loch shows Gwen that love is out there and that family does matter, he also shows her it's nice to just take time for yourself and play with your own toes. (seriously you have to read this part of the book) This was a fast paced book that kept my attention from the first page to the end, I was disappointed that it was over. I love how all these books run together and most of the same characters show up in the background of each book. Either someone is related to someone by family, mated to someone or best friends with someone and it all works out in the end.  Oh one more thing, I liked Lock a lot before the Halloween party, but once he came dressed in a kilt and no shirt I was a goner.  Pick me up off the floor in my big puddle of drool over how that was written. Lickable!!!  Aww and he loves honey and salmon- dreams about both- does that just crack you up??  (Again- my only problem with this book was the cover, it looks nothing like the Lock in the book--nothing!!) 

My Rating: 5 and if I could give a rating to just Lock it would be a 10 plus

My favorite part in the book: (let me set it up a little, Gwen was meeting Loch's parents for the first time & this was over dinner)

Gwen was kind of amazed. A mother with several degrees and a prestigious position at an Ivy League college did not ensure that she'd be any less embarrassing to her child that a mother who became a nurse through night school. Gwen knew this when Alla launched into her "unfortunate changes in my vagina after the birth of Lachlan" discussion

Lock had to put his big glass of milk down for that one, his head buried in his hands. The parts of his face not covered by his long fingers turned a lovely shade of crimson. Gwen had nail polish that matched that color perfectly.

"Was it his giant kumquat head?" Gwen asked, thoroughly enjoying every second of Lock's misery.

"No. It was his shoulders. He's always had very large shoulders. I mean look at him. Even as a baby they were freakishly long."

"Freakishly?" Lock snapped

"They stretched me right out."

"Mom!"

Brody shrugged and reached for more moo goo gai pork. "I didn't mind."

"Dad!"

"Well, darling, you were always quite large, so it made things a little easier for both of us when it came to sex."

"Mom!"

Alla shook her head. "I don't know what happened to you, Lachlan MacRyrie." She turned to Gwen. "I've always insisted on being quite open about human bodies when talking to my children. There's no shame in a woman's body. And like everything else in the world, it ages. So while you still have the exquisite body you've been blessed with, Gwen dear, and that prebirth vagina- enjoy it."

"Is there any way to get you to stop?" Lock begged

"Eat your food and stop whining, Lachlan. It's not attractive."