Books On Board

Pride Books in Order

  • 20 Books
  • 2007 – 2014 Published

Amazon links here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

How to Read the Pride Series: The Recommended Path

Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series is a cornerstone of contemporary paranormal romance, famous for its laugh-out-loud humor, chaotic family dynamics, and fierce, unapologetic heroines. While the series focuses on lion prides, wolf packs, grizzly bears, and eventually honey badgers, it is part of a larger, interconnected "Shifterverse." Because characters constantly cross over between books, reading them in the right order is essential to appreciate the evolving relationships and background lore.

For the absolute best reading experience, we highly recommend following the publication order. While a chronological order exists—specifically due to a prequel novella—starting with the first published book, The Mane Event, is the best way to immerse yourself in the world. The author herself notes that readers can choose, but following the release history prevents minor character spoilers and helps the world grow naturally as you read.

The Pride Series Publication Order

Here is the core publication sequence for the Pride series. These books primarily follow the antics of big cat shifters, canine shifters, and their mates in New York City, Long Island, and beyond:

  1. The Mane Event (2007) – A duo of novellas ("Christmas Pride" and "Shaw's Tail") that introduces lion shifter Mace Llewellyn, cop Desiree "Dez" MacDermot, lion Brendon Shaw, and wolf Ronnie Lee Reed.
  2. The Beast in Him (2008) – Focuses on wild dog shifter Jessica Ward and wolf Bobby Ray Smith as they navigate a chaotic second-chance romance.
  3. The Mane Attraction (2008) – Follows Sissy Mae Smith and Mitch Shaw as they clash and connect in typical high-energy Laurenston fashion.
  4. The Mane Squeeze (2009) – Pairs hybrid tiger-lion Gwen O'Neill with grizzly bear Lachlan "Lock" MacRyrie in a sweet yet action-packed story.
  5. Beast Behaving Badly (2010) – Explores the romance between wolf shifter Bo Novikov and wild dog shifter Blayne Thorpe.
  6. Big Bad Beast (2011) – Centers on the romance between grizzly bear shifter Dee-Ann Smith and hybrid wolf-dog Ric Van Holtz.
  7. Bear Meets Girl (2012) – Follows polar bear shifter Lou Crusack and tiger shifter Cissy Boudreaux.
  8. Like a Wolf with a Bone (2012) – A prequel novella focusing on Eggie Ray Smith and Darla Lewis, originally published in the Howl for It anthology.
  9. Wolf with Benefits (2013) – Showcases the pairing of wolf shifter Toni Jean-Louis Parker and hybrid feline-canine Ricky Lee Reed.
  10. Bite Me (2014) – Wraps up the core series with the chaotic honey badger Livy Kowalski and hybrid bear-lion-wolf Vic Barinov.

The Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to read the series strictly by the timeline of events, the sequence changes slightly due to the prequel novella. Like a Wolf with a Bone takes place chronologically before the events of the other books, placing it at the very beginning of your reading list. Here is the chronological path:

  1. Like a Wolf with a Bone (Prequel Novella / Pride #0.5)
  2. The Mane Event (Pride #1)
  3. The Beast in Him (Pride #2)
  4. The Mane Attraction (Pride #3)
  5. The Mane Squeeze (Pride #4)
  6. Beast Behaving Badly (Pride #5)
  7. Big Bad Beast (Pride #6)
  8. Bear Meets Girl (Pride #7)
  9. Wolf with Benefits (Pride #8)
  10. Bite Me (Pride #9)

The Extended Shifterverse: Spin-offs and Connections

To truly understand every inside joke and recurring character, it helps to look at the broader picture. Shelly Laurenston's shifter world consists of three main series that share a timeline, setting, and cast. Reading them all together in publication order offers the ultimate Shifterverse journey:

The Magnus Pack Series

Before launching Pride, Laurenston introduced her shifter universe with the Magnus Pack series, focusing on wolf shifters. Characters from this trilogy frequently cross over into the Pride series. The core books are:

  • Pack Challenge (2006)
  • Go Fetch! (2006)
  • Here Kitty, Kitty! (2006)
  • "Miss Congeniality" in the When He Was Bad anthology (2008)

The Honey Badger Chronicles

After finishing the core Pride books with Bite Me (which heavily features honey badgers), Laurenston spun off into the fan-favorite Honey Badger Chronicles. This series is famous for its chaotic, hilariously dangerous heroines. The lineup includes:

  • Hot and Badgered (2018)
  • In a Badger Way (2019)
  • Badger to the Bone (2020)
  • Breaking Badger (2021)
  • Born to Be Badger (2023)
  • To Kill a Badger (2025)

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, keep in mind that Shelly Laurenston's books are highly comedic and fast-paced. Unlike traditional, brooding paranormal romance, the shifters in the Pride world are loud, violent, funny, and deeply loyal. They act like their animal counterparts—meaning felines purr, wolves are pack-obsessed, and honey badgers simply do not care about anyone else's rules. Additionally, Laurenston writes high-fantasy dragon romance under the pen name G.A. Aiken (such as the Dragon Kin series), but those books are set in a completely separate fantasy world and do not connect to the Pride universe.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting book for the Pride series?

The best starting point is The Mane Event (2007), which introduces the key shifter dynamics and families in New York City.

Where does the Magnus Pack series fit in?

The Magnus Pack series acts as a prequel trilogy to the Pride world. Reading it first helps you understand recurring wolf characters who appear later in the Pride series.

Are the Honey Badger Chronicles part of the Pride universe?

Yes. The Honey Badger Chronicles are a direct spin-off that begins after the events of Bite Me (Pride #9), following the infamous MacKilligan sisters.

Can I read Shelly Laurenston's books as standalones?

While each book features a standalone romance with a resolved happy ending, the overarching plot, family relationships, and jokes carry over, making it highly recommended to read them in order.

Does Shelly Laurenston write under another name?

Yes, she writes fantasy romance, including the Dragon Kin series, under the pen name G.A. Aiken.

Where does 'Like a Wolf with a Bone' fit chronologically?

Chronologically, "Like a Wolf with a Bone" is a prequel (often numbered as Pride #0.5) focusing on Eggie Ray and Darla, though it was published in 2012.