Badger by Paige Warren & Harley Wylde

Badger by Paige Warren & Harley Wylde
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Badger — I went to prison for ten years after beating a man to death. He deserved it, and then some. I only wish he’d suffered more. Now I’m free, but things aren’t the same as when I left. The little girl I once saved is now a tempting young woman with curves in all the right places. I should stay away, far away, but I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame. The pres of my club adopted her, so she’s definitely a no-fly zone, but damn if I don’t want her with every breath I take. A little sample wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? As long as Griz doesn’t find out, I’ll keep breathing. Sneaking around should be easy enough. I never counted on falling for her, or finding out she was carrying my kid. Now what the hell am I supposed to do? I’m a longtime repeat offender. I can’t walk the straight and narrow. Can I?

Adalia — I’ve worshiped Badger ever since the night he saved me. But what started as a young girl’s infatuation has grown into something more. I know he’ll never see me that way, or at least I thought he wouldn’t. When we’re together, it’s like we just can’t keep our hands off each other. It’s probably against his parole for us to be together, but he doesn’t seem to care. The heat between us is undeniable. He didn’t promise me forever, just right now. But neither of us counted on me getting pregnant, something that wasn’t supposed to happen too easily, and I have no freakin’ clue what to do. I’m scared Badger will run for the hills. He never asked for this, but then neither did I. One thing is for certain. If he doesn’t man up and my daddy finds out, there will be hell to pay. No one can hide from the president of the Devil’s Fury MC.

After beating a man to death – and saving a young girl in the process – Badger didn’t mind the ten years he spent in prison to pay for what he never saw as a crime. Now Adalia is all grown up, but as the adopted daughter of the president of the MC she’s strictly off limits. Badger has never been one to walk the straight and narrow, and Adalia has always been in love with her savior. When she finds out she’s pregnant, life is going to change dramatically for them both.

This is a steamy short story that I really enjoyed. While Adalia had been very hurt in the past, Badger was her hero and despite his rough exterior I enjoyed that he clearly had a soft spot for the young woman. All grown up now, the heat sizzles between them so it’s no wonder they can’t keep their hands off each other. I really liked how they were on even footing when it came to their attraction to each other and it was clear their shared history had their mutual feelings more than just skin deep.

I really enjoyed how Badger and Adalia actually got to know each other – their histories as well as what they were like as people – and not just roll around between the sheets. This helped me feel like the story was more than just about two people coming together and having some fun, but more about two people falling in love and deepening the brief connection they had and their shared history. I really feel that readers looking for some spice – but who equally like a plot and some emotional depth to their story should find this a good fit.

With plenty of steam but an equal amount of deep conversation I found this a refreshing and interesting story with a solid plotline. Recommended.