How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper

Concerned that technology is about to creatures out into the open (how long can Sasquatch stay hidden from Google maps?), the League for Interspecies Cooperation is sending Jillian to Louisiana on a fact-finding mission. While the League hopes to hold on to secrecy for a little bit longer, they're preparing for the worst in terms of human reactions. They need a plan, so they look to Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where humans and supernatural residents have been living in harmony for generations. Mermaids and gator shifters swim in the bayou. Spirit bottles light the front porches after twilight. Dragons light the fires under crayfish pots.  

Jillian's first assignment for the League could be her last. Mystic Bayou is wary of outsiders, and she has difficulty getting locals to talk to her. And she can't get the gruff town sheriff, Bael Boone, off of her back or out of her mind. Bael is the finest male specimen she's seen in a long time, even though he might not be human. Soon their flirtation is hotter than a dragon's breath, which Bael just might turn out to be....

Series: Mystic Bayou #1 | Publisher: Audible | Narrators: Amanda Ronconi & Jonathan Davis | Length: 6 hrs 33 min | Genre: Paranormal Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4.5 Cups 

Challenges Read For:  Literary Pickers: Specialty Tea or Coffee

 

I’m not going to lie, I get a little giddy when a new Molly Harper book comes out so I was ecstatic when I received an audio copy of How to Date Your Dragon.

 

This is the first book in her new Mystic Bayou series but, don’t fear, it still has that charming Molly Harper snark, which I can’t seem to get enough of.

 

Here’s what’s happening. When the League for Interspecies Cooperation sends Jillian Ramsay to the small town of Mystic Bayou, Louisiana to observe how the human and supernaturals have been living in harmony, Jillian discovers more than she’s counted on. Namely, the town’s sexy but gruff sheriff. As Jillian starts feeling more comfortable in town and more turned on by the sexy sheriff, whose supernatural being she can’t seem to identify, things take a creepy turn when a few of the residents she’s spoken with turns up dead.

 

Okay, so *cue the happy little Snoopy dance* lol. I loved this one.

 

Jillian and Beal were such fun. I think they’ve edged their way into being on my top five list of favorite Molly Harper characters. They were such a hoot and I loved their snarky banter.

 

The residents of Mystic Bayou were the classic mix of zany and snarky that makes them rather endearing.

 

So, there was a mystery aspect in this book and, while I found it entertaining, I had the who and why figured out pretty much from the start. But don’t let the easy whodunit dissuade you from devouring this novel.

 

Amanda Ronconi (always a delight to listen to) and Jonathan Davis were brilliant at bringing the characters to life. There was a bit of an audio problem with the first copy but that has now been fixed so it’s good to go.

 

Overall, such a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to the next book, which I believe will be Zed’s story (yay!).

Mystic Bayou Series

#1 How to Date Your Dragon

#2 Love and Other Wild Things

#2.5 Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues 

#3 Selkies are a Girl’s Best Friend  

Boxy Charm April Box Review

In each box you will receive 4 to 5 full-size beauty items ranging from makeup to skincare, beauty tools to color cosmetics and each box has a value of $100 and up. Brands range from emerging to established, and you're guaranteed to find a few new favorites in each box.

 

Subscription Price: $21/month (Free US Shipping)

 

I’ve been hearing so many people rave about Boxy Charm and for $21 a month for 4-5 full-size products (one of which is usually an eyeshadow palette), I decided to give it a go. So, I filled out a lengthy beauty survey then waited for my first box to arrive.

 

While I was waiting for my box, I spotted a teaser on Instagram saying that the April boxes would include 1of 5 ColourPop eyeshadow palettes. That was great; I’d heard good things about their eyeshadows, so I was thrilled. Then I spotted the My Little Pony (yes, you read that right) eyeshadow palette—honestly, I don’t know any adult that would want a My Little Pony eyeshadow palette. Thankfully, I didn’t received that one.

 

I was rather disappointed with what I did receive. Not only will I not use three of the five products I received, two were in the wrong shade and one I’m allergic to. I specifically marked no cleaners or peels because my skin is way too sensitive for these types of products.

 

I do like the lipstick—it’s not something I would normally buy just because it feels more like a gloss than a liquid lipstick but I like the shade. The eyeshadow palette is nice but a bit bolder and more sparkly than I normally wear. So, it’s not a palette I would use on it’s own but rather layer a few of the shades with something I already have.

 

Here’s what I received in my April box: (Prices found on product’s website)

Adesse in Haute Cocoa (liquid lipstick) $24

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner (pore purifying mask) $42

ColourPop Eyeshadow in Element of Surprise $16

Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow in Stunner (highlighter) $29

The BrowGal Tinted Eyebrow Gel in Light Hair $22

 

Total of Products I received according to product’s website $133

Total of Products I received according to Boxy Charm card $138 (they marked up the Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner by a few dollars)

 

Overall: While paying $21 for $133 worth of makeup/beauty products seems like a good deal on paper, I will only use 2 out of the 5 products I received. This one just seemed like it was curated for teens rather than adults. I’m not into the sparkly highlighted look.

 

Apparently, I’m the odd one out because this one was definitely a cancel. 3 out 5 were products I said I didn't want and never used. And they obviously paid no attention to the fact I ticked the box saying I had dark brown hair because they sent me brow gel (which I never use) for light hair.

 

So, out of 5 products, I’ll only use the lipstick and a few of the eyeshadows.

Other Subscription Box Reviews: 

Julep Beauty Box