Step into the wild, witty world of Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series, where shapeshifters prowl the streets of New York City, blending steamy romance with laugh-out-loud humor and pulse-pounding action. This paranormal romance saga invites readers into a universe where lion prides, wolf packs, and honey badgers navigate love, loyalty, and supernatural chaos with a side of snark. If you’re craving a genre mashup that’s equal parts sexy, suspenseful, and hilarious, Pride is your next obsession.
From its debut, the series has captivated fans with its bold heroines, charming alpha males, and a world where animal instincts fuel both heart-pounding battles and sizzling chemistry. Ready to meet lion shifters, fierce she-wolves, and a grizzly bear who’s sweeter than he looks? Let’s dive into the Pride universe!
How Pride Began
Shelly Laurenston, a New York Times bestselling author also known as G.A. Aiken, launched the Pride series in 2007 with The Mane Event. Drawing inspiration from her love of urban fantasy and her knack for crafting quirky, strong-willed characters, Laurenston created a world where shapeshifters live among humans, balancing their animal natures with modern life. Her Long Island roots and West Coast sensibilities infuse the series with a vibrant, contemporary edge, making New York City a perfect backdrop for supernatural drama. The series grew from a single anthology into a sprawling saga, celebrated for its irreverent humor and diverse cast of shifters.
The Heart of Pride
The Pride series kicks off with The Mane Event, a duo of novellas introducing lion shifter Mace Llewellyn and NYPD cop Desiree “Dez” MacDermot, whose childhood friendship ignites into a fiery romance amid a murder investigation. In The Beast in Him, Jessica Ward, a sassy wild dog shifter, reconnects with her high school crush, wolf Bobby Ray Smith, proving that opposites attract with explosive results. The Mane Squeeze pairs street-smart Gwen O’Neill, a tiger-lion hybrid, with Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie, a grizzly bear whose gentle heart belies his fearsome form. Bite Me wraps the series with honey badger Livy Kowalski and hybrid Vic Barinov, delivering chaos and passion in equal measure.
At its core, Pride explores themes of love, loyalty, and found family, woven into a tapestry of shapeshifter societies with distinct rules—like the matriarchal lion prides and chaotic wolf packs. Laurenston’s world-building shines, with each shifter’s animal traits influencing their personality, from the cunning of felines to the relentless tenacity of honey badgers. Her signature style—snappy dialogue, steamy romance, and action-packed plots—keeps readers hooked, while the urban setting grounds the supernatural in a relatable, gritty reality.
The series’ humor sets it apart, with laugh-out-loud moments stemming from family dynamics, shifter rivalries, and Laurenston’s knack for turning animal behaviors into human quirks. Whether it’s a lion purring at his mate or a badger raiding a honey stash, these details make Pride a uniquely immersive read.
Why Pride Resonates
Pride has carved a niche in paranormal romance, earning praise from outlets like USA Today and RT Book Reviews for its “hot and humorous” storytelling. Fans adore its strong, unapologetic heroines and the way Laurenston balances romance with suspense, ensuring every book delivers thrills alongside heart. The series’ influence extends to its spin-offs, like the Honey Badger Chronicles, and its role in popularizing diverse shifter types beyond traditional wolves. Its lasting appeal lies in its ability to blend escapist fun with emotional depth, making it a comfort read for fans who return to its pages again and again.
- First Published: 2007
- Number of Books: 9 main novels, plus novellas
- Setting: New York City, with trips to Tennessee and beyond
- Notable Award: RT Book Reviews Readers’ Choice Award (related works)
Ready to unleash your inner shifter? Grab The Mane Event and dive into Pride’s wild, romantic world—where love roars louder than any beast!