Beautifully Toxic

Candied Crush #1

by Charity Parkerson

A famous drummer. A homeless teen. It’s hard to tell which one is the savior.
When Jessie Thunder, a famous drummer, learns a homeless person has been sneaking into his home, Jessie decides to help him out. The eighteen-year-old “boy” is too old to go in the system, and Jessie can’t stand the thought of anyone going hungry. He also hopes rescuing Theo will ease his soul. Otherwise, there’s nothing redeeming left of him.

Even though Theo doesn’t trust Jessie’s help, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. At first, Jessie’s attention feels like heaven. He’s never had anyone care about him, especially someone as amazing as Jessie. Everything seems perfect. That is, until Theo realizes Jessie’s beauty is only a mask. Inside, Jessie is poison and Theo has to get out before he finds himself in worse shape than when he lived on the street.

With Theo gone and no one to save him, Jessie has to make a choice. He can either rescue himself or drown in the toxic waste his life has become. Only one of those roads leads back to Theo.

Beautifully Toxic is the first book in bestselling author Charity Parkerson’s series, Candied Crush, where the men are like candy—rich, irresistible, and bad for your health.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Novella, Music, Queer

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2020

About the author

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.

*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath

**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 1 out of 5]

MM Romance
Hurt/Comfort
1 Star ⭐️

I really liked the beginning of this novella but then it became absolute shit and when I went to DNF it, it was at 91% so I decided to just finish it but man did it suck. So if it’s not clear, I fucking hated this book and I’ll try to explain why without making this 3000 pages long.

Theo is 18 and homeless trying to get from San Diego to Los Angeles after he aged out of the foster care system. When he gets to LA, the person he was going to stay with is nowhere to be found so he breaks into someone’s pool house and lives there for a couple weeks. This someone is 34 year old Jessie Thunder, a has been famous drummer for a band I can’t remember the fucking name of. When Jessie realizes this guy is on his property with nowhere to go, he offers him a guest bedroom in his house of misfits. Theo has no idea who Jessie is but becomes enamored with this hot man who saved him while Jessie is drawn to Theo. However, this will not be smooth sailing because Jessie is a hardcore addict and everyone in his life overlooks it.

I liked the set up of this and all the characters at the start but as this book evolved I started to hate everyone and this book is guilty of something that drives me absolutely crazy in books like this.

The only time Theo and Jessie interact is when Jessie is high and/or drunk so while they supposedly have feelings for each other, it’s not real. Jessie is so fucked up that he’ll be mid sentence and pass the fuck out in Theo’s bed. Theo and Jessie have a 16 year age difference and no matter how hard Theo’s life has been up to this point, he is not mature enough to save Jessie. Theo can’t save Jessie anyway because that’s not how addiction works. Addiction is awful because it becomes the user’s one true love, above everyone else so for Theo to show up and suddenly Jessie wants to change is absolutely ludicrous. But he’s too far gone to change so instead he purposely OD’s but Theo appears in time to do CPR and save Jessie just like Jessie saved him. *eye roll*

Jessie decides to go to rehab and we learn his sordid back story which is harrowing but somehow after 4 months he’s all better, returns home and gets his man. Jessie had over a dozen addictions so how he didn’t have any relapses or issues after the fact made no sense. There was a lot of talk about them saving each other and there’s even a marriage proposal. 🤦🏻‍♀️ For the first year after getting sober, you are not supposed to have a relationship of any kind except with yourself. That’s basic knowledge and yet Jessie takes Theo to the courthouse to marry him just weeks after he gets out of “rich people rehab”. Jessie proposes to Theo during the first time they have sex which is at 91% because he couldn’t get it up before he got sober and Theo comes and agrees to marry him. REALLY?

”His place was here. Jessie needed him. Jessie needed Theo’s love and watchful eye. Theo wouldn’t let him hurt or be alone. He especially wouldn’t let Jessie backslide. It was time to heal. Jessie was his. Theo had him. He would be Jessie’s strength.” 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

The best part of this book was Jessie’s little brother Ezra and his obvious infatuation with Jessie’s bodyguard Declan but it becomes clear as time goes on what an absolute asshole Declan is because Declan is also in love with Ezra but won’t act on it because of Jessie. Instead, Declan has young guys who look like Ezra come over each night to distract him and goes above and beyond to stalk Ezra while simultaneously rejecting him constantly. Theo lives with Ezra briefly and we see that Ezra isn’t as put together as he appears to be and it’s obvious to everyone but Jessie how much Declan hurts Ezra. So, I will not be continuing this series because after reading reviews for the next book, Declan really is an asshole and Ezra deserves better. Plus Ezra has some type of eating disorder and it appears that just like this book, Declan will be the solution, not therapy or counseling.

I cannot read the next book because I cannot handle another real life issue have such a ridiculous outcome. If you want to write about gritty, real diseases then they need to be followed up with actual treatments and counseling, not people. If people could save addicts with love alone I’d have a lot less loss in my life. My aunt died mid November at age 65 of alcoholism. While I can’t say it was a shock because we always knew this would be the outcome one day, she was still so young and for it to happen right before the holidays was just incredibly awful. My aunt got sober a few times over the years but not even stints in state prison or mandatory rehab could keep her sober for more than a year. So, this book just didn’t work for me because it’s absolutely implausible Jessie would have gotten sober the first time after 15+ years of addiction just because of an 18 year old guy. While I do believe love can conquer a whole lot of things, it cannot conquer addiction and the author has a responsibility to make sure their characters get the actual help they need when writing about such a sensitive topic. My opinion anyway.

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rockstar/homeless boy MM romance
Well, that was entertaining.
Will definitely read Ezra’s book (next in the series) because I love him.

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, he was tired of waking up every day. Jessie was tired of showering, eating, and shitting. Life had a thousand tiny chores that drove him insane with boredom.

His entire life had been exactly like this. He saw too much, but no one saw him. Theo was always alone, no matter how many people surrounded him. His burden felt even heavier today.

Jessie and Theo find in each other what the rest of the world can't offer them, a reason to live.
I'm actually not a fan of the idea that love overcomes everything and that depression and other hardships can turn into rosy clouds. But I don't think this book wants that at all. Unfortunately, it doesn't manage to portray it properly. You have to read in extreme in-depth detail to understand that just because the two find their HEA doesn't mean that everything is full of joy and sunshine.
I think this is a really good book, the characters are very well chosen and the plot fits wonderfully. But somehow something is missing. A lot of things seem too cryptic, maybe it's the writing style that doesn't quite worked for me.
In any case, the marriage proposal is unique, I had a good laugh.
And the last chapter shows an element of love between the two that has been missing throughout the book. Maybe it's simply because of Jessie's drug-filled brain that everything remained on the surface beforehand, and maybe that was the author's intention. 🤷🏼‍♀️

No one else thought Jessie had any songs left in him to write. Everyone else on the planet believed Jessie’s musical talent had died with his band. While it was true he wouldn’t likely play on stage ever again, Theo hadn’t stopped pushing him to create. That was real love. 💞🥀💞

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fact that this book is rated higher on GR than they both die at the end is so backwards. So I had to come and cut a star off it's rating out of spite. Idc. <3

Old review: I never know how to rate novellas because they’re so short that like, how can you expect great things??? Maybe I just haven’t read any great novella’s yet. I rated 3 star because generally I hate books that I rate 2 star, but even though this book definitely has its flaws, I didn’t hate it, it just wasn’t that good? Ahhaha It was quick to read though and easy and I will probably forget about it in a week and maybe read the second one if I ever need something quick to palate cleanse me 🤣
One mc is a washed up rockstar and the other a homeless “kid” he tries to make a found family with j guess?? I don’t know. It was basic. If you expect basic, it was good enough to read ahhaha

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough one for me to review and rate, I mean, it's written well and is a good story but do I believe in it?

Addiction is a tough one for any author to tackle. Of course it's fiction so it is what it is. The problem is if the reader has faith that the HEA will last. There comes a time when the reader's own thoughts on the matter conflict with what's on the page and you start doubting if true love is really a cure all. You see promises as potential red flags. Marriage so soon after rehab as a disaster in waiting.

So, I'll need to set my cynical mind aside and be happy that this love story exists. Insta love, knight in shining armor and all. Hope must always shine. And that is what I chose to go with.

*I'm expecting Ezra's book to be a banger next😉

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book release scheduled for May 25, 2020

Reviewed an ARC on May 22, 2020

Soapy. Slow Burn. Emotional

Beautifully Toxic was my introduction to Charity Parkerson's work.

A quick , short and emotional story that I liked but don't love. Why do I feel that way? Because is a short story, lots of background info about the characters wasn't there , it made it difficult to connect with the MC.

Heat levels: 2 out of 5
Angst levels: 4 out of 5
Sweetness levels: 3.5 out 5
Drama levels: 4 out of 5

Re-read: No
Recommend: Yes

#ReadOn2020 #KindleFire #GRR #CharityParkerson #BeautifullyToxic

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A homeless teen. An infamous drummer. Sounds like a mismatch on paper, but in reality, Theo and Jessie could have something beautiful if Jessie's addictions don't get in the way.

When Jessie offers up his home to the boy who had been squatting in his pool house, his world is tilted off its axis when he takes one look at the beautiful boy. His body may not work the way his mind wants it to, but he knows he'll do his best to take care of Theo and give him the home he deserves. And it works well until Theo realizes Jessie's not exactly good for his poor heart. Can Jessie get himself together and be the man Theo deserves, the man Jessie is deep inside somewhere?

This is a sweet, slightly angsty, short read. I hurt for both Jessie and Theo, especially Jessie, as it was obvious his demons were the result of something traumatic. Thank God he finally had someone to live for, to get clean for. But really the best part of this story are two secondary characters - Jessie's younger brother, Ezra, and Jessie's bodyguard, Declan, whose story is next. I cannot wait for it!

ARC via Gay Romance Reviews for an honest review.

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[Deborah Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Parkerson's little novels and this one was her usual fare. A thirty-something, washed up, drug addicted, rock drummer rescues an 18-year-old off the street and falls hard for him. But Jessie knows he's too old and too drugged out to mess with sweet, innocent Theo. He gives him a room in his house, buys him clothes, feeds him, teaches him how to drive, and barely keeps his hands off Theo. As for Theo, he wants a relationship with Jessie even though he can see that Jessie is really messed up. This m/m love story pulls at the heartstrings and brims with hope. A nice way to indulge yourself with a cup of tea and a lazy afternoon.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've never seen a house so filled with love that no one acknowledges.." Luckily for them, Theo had tons of love too and no one to share it with...one day someone would love him too. When that day came, Theo swore he wouldn't be silent. In fact, he might never shut up again."

Well this was an unexpected surprise. It was so much more angsty than I had anticipated and left me frequently emotional. It was beautifully written and while I wish it had been longer, that we could have spent more time seeing Theo and Jessie bond, the intensity of their love was so strong that it was undeniable.

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully Toxic has a potential, if the story a little bit long.
There were some background stories about every one, it felt like I was dived in the middle of the story.
Otherwise, this was enjoyable. I made assumption like Theo about Jesse, proved that this was written well. The writing is good, I think, and I found my self hard to put it down.
But most of all, I like to know more about Ezra, but not the bodyguard that Ezra loved and loved Ezra in return. Sure I made another assumption for not liking Ezra's love interest.
Bit that's another story for another day :)

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is a rich, famous drummer for a metal band.
Theo is homeless, vulnerable and so sweet.
This begins as a sad, heartbreaking story of addiction and the hopelessness of being homeless.
Then there is hope, love and friendship.
This book is aptly named. The relationships are/were definitely beautifully toxic.
I look forward to more of this series. I hope we get Ezra's story next.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saviours

When security informed Jessie that someone was hiding out in his boathouse he went ballistic and had the alarm raised for help. But when he saw the young boy, handcuffed, and scared to death, being held by the policemen, he needed to know why such a young kid had no one taking care of him. When he learned the kid’s story he couldn’t press charges and have him taken to jail.

Jessie in spite of everything that was wrong with him, he still had a heart of gold,especially for those less fortunate than himself. All those around him, security, bodyguards, all found a home in Jessie’s house, or nearby. That’s how Theo came to live in Jessie Thunder’s mansion.

Theo had a heartbreaking history of neglect and abandonment, living in the streets when he became too old for the system to support him.

It didn’t take long for Theo to discover that despite all Jessie’s kindness he had huge issues of his own, but by then Theo was madly in love with his saviour Jessie. There were other secrets goings on too, Ezra Jessie’s much younger brother, and Declan, the bodyguard had some sort of weird vibe frizzling between them. Theo also noticed that each morning as he left him bedroom, a young twinky blond was coming out of Jessie’s bedroom. The green eyed monster rose in Theo’s gut.

So much misunderstanding goes in the house, especially when Jessie spirals out of control with all the ‘medications’ he takes to keep him functioning.
After a very upfront talk between them, Theo and Jessie have a misunderstanding, he packs his few items of clothing, leaving all that Jessie had gifted him behind, and sneaks out the window.

Ezra was driving by when he spots Theo walking and he takes him to his place. They go back to collect the rest of Theo’s stuff. While there Theo spots Jessie’s body collapsed across the floor. Barely breathing, Theo performs CPR while waiting for the ambulance.

Everyone seems to be falling apart in the house, Ezra and Declan are avoiding each other, Jessie decides to go to Rehab directly when he’s released from the hospital. Theo has moved out and gotten a job to find his own way and forget about Jessie and his trail of midnight Twinkies.
*****************
What started out on a happy note with Theo being offered a place of safety and welcome, it didn’t take long for this feeling to get lost when the underlying problems and feelings brewing between each person in the house brought it all crashing down.

Strong feelings came too fast to be realistic between the two MC’s. Both of them had heavy baggage, Theo’s we knew about early on, but Jessie’s we only find out about towards the end. I couldn’t help but like both Theo and Jessie, and the wonderful Ezra, the light of all their lives.

I hope Ezra’s story, next in the series, is not as fraught as Jessie’s.

This was a short read that dealt with some issues that might be triggering for some. Off page deaths due to drug poisoning and an MC’s drug addiction.

[Amos24601 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo and Jessie

I think it’s incredibly difficult to write a book about addiction and have it be so short. Especially when you have Jessie addicted to so many things. Jessie is so lucky he has survived this long.

It’s amazing to me that Theo thrived in the environment Jessie cultivated. He tries really hard to be everything for Jessie and we all know how that ends. Theo was the clear winner for me.

One of my biggest peeves with this book was how much Declan and Ezra, two people who love Jessie, just sit back and watch him destroy himself. It made me sad, really. I’m highly interested in Ezra’s story though. Overall, this book painted a very sad picture for Jessie that ended on a hopeful note.

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was short, it was very intense and sucked you in immediately.

Jessie is hanging by a thread and Theo is too.
They are both in very different parts in their lives but sometimes timing is everything.
This is book 1 in a new series and the set up for the next book makes me wish it was out so I could read it right this minute!

I love all the characters. Primary and secondary. The writing is just so lyrical and makes you want to sink into this world that the author has created.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is so fucked up. Finally I understand the story behind his addiction, it was so tragic!

Theo is homeless and has no family and Jesse save him, give him a place to live, taking care of him and Theo do the same thing to Jesse, cared for him even without Theo realize it.

This story is so sad and beautiful at the same time. How Jesse and Theo's life are changing after such a tragic past and they find solace in each other's arms.

[Lauri MissDysfunktion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully Toxic is book one in the Candied Crush series

I really enjoyed this one. I’ve read alot of Charity’s books and I think this one is a top list one for me.
The flow of the story and the characters vibes were on point and it hit the spot perfectly!

[Rombutan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very toxic, so much therapy needed, I ate it up

[Hannah Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book by this author and I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I liked the dual POV and that we got to see some secondary characters as well.

Just not enough meat in the story for me. I’d love to see this as a fuller novel but it was a nice quick read 😊

[Dawn Nicole Costiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes the toughest roads lead to beautiful destinations...

Beautifully Toxic by Charity Parkerson is my first book by this author and I can honestly really enjoyed it.
It has a great storline with a fair execution.

The older famous drummer and the homeless teen...
I wish the story was fleshed out more. Had delved deeper into the characters. Especially pertaining to their stuggles and relationships. It's a shorter read, that definitely could have been enhanced further had it been longer....

Jesse and Theo are the type of characters you can not help but like and feel for....
36 year old, Jesse has a heart of gold, but he struggles with internal demons. He's a talented and successful drummer of a metal band. At this stage of his life, he should basking in fame and fortune, not hidding behind a life altering addiction. He life is not his own anymore. He's never sober and just barely existing. He does so much for everyone and never for himself. His beautiful selfless soul is so sad....
When he stumbles upon Theo, a homeless 18 year old teenager, he knows he can't turn him away. He decides to take him under his wing. Jesse immediately has a soft spot for innocent Theo. He wants to provide and protect him. His attention and care stunned Theo. Theo has never known kindness before Jesse. He's only known rejection and pain. Theo's heart was a pure as Jesse's. He just wanted to be loved and give love....
Between the two of them my heart was in shambles. They were so sweet together. There were moments of beauty wrapped in saddness. Jesse's addiction dragged them under. I love how their journey started and I felt their need and passion for each other.
I would have liked a deeper development with them, not only personally but as a couple. The author just touched the surface of Jesse's addiction. While she tugged at my heartstrings, I know this had the potential to rip my heart out. I wanted to get lost in the struggles and love. Although, their road to HEA was paved with many obstacles, destined to keep them apart, ultimately their love prevailed.

Beautifully Toxic has interesting array of characters that I did fall for. Especially, Ezra is Jesse's younger brother. He is just a ball of light. His story is up next and I can not wait to read it.

[Cindaren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwrought. I liked the prequel Beautifully Damaged so idk. I also really liked the colorful model on that one though so that might've influenced my opinion.

[Alexis]

dnf @ 33% … there’s just something off about this.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their attraction is mutual but can a non-user watch a user kill themselves rather than be loved?
This is the first in a series of gay men who form a “family” much like the toys on the “Island of Misfit Toys.”
This book is about 34yo former but now infamous drummer, Jessie Thunder who spends his days popping pills and drinking way too much. He has lots of people around him: bodyguards, his brother and others but he always feels alone. He is self-absorbed until his bodyguard asks him about the houseguest in his pool house. Jesse hasn’t invited anybody to his pool house. Enter Theo Harlow, 18yo and homeless. Theo has aged-out of the State system of abandoned children. He found the pool house door unlocked and started squatting there until he was caught. Rather than send this poor bedraggled young boy to jail, Jessie invites him to stay along with his family of “misfits” for whom he cares. Will Theo stay? Will this work? Can this make Jessie happy?
In this first book we are introduced to several other characters whose stories will be told in future books. They are already put on my wish list! BEAUTIFULLY TOXIC is a slow-burn M/M romance between two hurting people. Neither Theo nor Jessie have ever known passionate true love or compassion. This is their story. Beautifully written, every chapter an adventure, great romance. Chapter 7 broke my heart until it was put back together. I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and it comes highly recommended.

[Jenny Saul-Avila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in this story so much, its small, tight knit cast of endearing & flawed people.

Theo's spent his life being tossed around, with love seeming to be within his reach only to have it ripped away. Jessie is generous & caring, but he's been spending ages completely drowning in addiction, not really trying to stay alive. He thinks the world of others, but not much for himself. Clearly, these two were made for each other - and have huge obstacles. I basically wanted to hug both of these guys and periodically slap them around when they were being blind.
As for other wonderful characters, Jessie has a lovely brother who is around regularly and a friend/bodyguard/assistant who lives with him. They clearly have their own stories going on - it could not be more obvious that they have their own book(s) on the way, even without reading future blurbs. I adored both of them, especially Jessie's brother.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star for me is that this should have/could have been a MUCH longer story. There are gaps of time that could have been filled in with more details, just to enrich the story further. It's not as if there are loose ends at all, or anything unknown though - just a lost opportunity for a longer novel with greater depth & angst. And I would've totally binged on all of that novel. I read this book in one sitting & will be doing that with the next one, no doubt.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story but it isn’t one of the better Charity Parkerson books I’ve read. The book is aptly named because Jesse is a hot mess.

Jesse was part of band that flew to close to the sun. They all got singed and some burned. He has yet to recover from this and has no desire it seems to recover from it.

Theo is a teenager living on the streets who finds his way into the pool house on Jessie’s property. He’s living there until security discovers him. Jessie offers him a place to live and to help him get on his feet. Theo meets the family and recognizes they all genuinely care about each other and him.

Theo comes to realize that you can only save yourself. He sees the growing pain between Ezra and Declan. He sees that Jesse isn’t good for him and continuing to live this way is going to kill him. I give him major kudos because he leaves and starts to try to get his life on some kind of track.

There isn’t a lot of background here for Jesse and Theo and it takes a moment for you to become emotionally invested in them. Jessie makes a giant leap in judgement that turns out to be false but he has let it drive a decision for him. I think this could have been a longer richer book.

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Famous drummer Jessie Thunder discovers an eighteen-year-old homeless boy on his property and because he is too old to be in the system he decides to help him as he can't stand the thought of anyone going hungry. Theo doesn't trust Jessie's help he doesn't have anywhere else to go. At first, Jessie's attention feels great but then he realises that Jessie's beauty is only a mask as inside he is poison and he needs to get out before he is worse off than he was when he was on the streets. With Theo gone and no one to save him, Jessie has to make a choice. He can either rescue himself or drown in the toxic waste his life has become. Only one of those roads leads back to Theo.

I enjoyed this story with Jessie trying to keep everyone around him safe and happy even though he was so damaged himself. I loved the way that Theo loved Jessie but could see that he could no longer stay there and watch him destroy himself. The dynamics between the other characters in the story were interesting too especially around Ezra Jessie's brother. Easy to read, feel and understand you will feel quite emotional when Theo leaves Jessie after leaving everything new behind. This is an MM story with mature content.

[Calila · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Received A Copy To Review From The Author*

I'd say this is a high three, but I couldn't quite make myself give it four stars. I really liked it for the most part, it was a nice and surprisingly fluffy read. That's where the disconnect came from. I expected something totally different. I thought there'd be more toxicity and angst. But what little there is all misunderstandings that were built up in the characters heads. I don't know. There are a lot of things that I feel should and could've been talked about more in depth. There's this HUGE trauma that Jesse experiences pre-book that affects him deeply but it just tacked on at the end of the book in a couple sentences. I would've loved to see his rehab days or therapy sessions. I expected his addiction to have a huge impact on the relationship but it's kind of a non-issue really. However all that said, they are cute together, I do believe they like each other enough for it to become love (though I'm not sure I believe love just yet), and I do like both characters a whole lot. There's great side characters that I'm already invested in their story so I'll for sure be reading the next book in the series.

[Sanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully Toxic starts Candied Crush series. MM Contemporary Romance. Novella. HEA. Rockstar Romance. May-December. Insta-attraction. Hurt-Comfort. Trigger warning: addiction, drug use, drug overdose, self harm, suicide attempt.

2POV, 3rd person, past tense. This kindle edition 115 pages, 25th May 2020.

This series starter was kinda a miss for me, not a hit. Of course you have to consider the short read length, but still. It felt sadly left way too superficial and skimming / jumping on just the surface for addressing the opportunities it had. It for example managed to present fighting addiction too lightly like it was a done deal not worth mentioning, no sweat, by way of ignoring. I resent that a lot, it's irresponsible.
The basic insta-attraction as a basis wasn't cut to do it either for me with this packaging due to how it was presented. Everything felt too easily told, shortened and simplified for fast and easy too much. It ruined it. If it had been taken and done properly, with time and care, it could've been something, but could've beens don't count.

[Jennifer Reilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully Toxic is the first book in the Candied Hearts series.

This book is fast paced and you should heed the trigger warnings

Theo is an 18 yr old homeless man that finds his way to Jessie’s home. When he is found by Jessie, Jessie just can’t let him go.

Jessie is a famous drummer that has lost a lot and has a serious drug addiction. When he sees Theo, he knows he can’t let him go and makes an offer he can’t refuse.

As they spend time together their feelings change until one fateful night.

I fell in love with the main characters. Their history is sad and shows no matter how much money you have, you can have a separate set of problems. I wished we got to dive more into the guys and especially Jessie’s drug addiction, recovery, and their relationship

I loved the secondary guys, Ezra and Declan, and Wrecker.

[Anabela.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is on the short side, but it's long enough and so amazingly written to feel the characters' deep set loneliness, sense of worthlessness and  and their dejection. Not to the point to perceive the angst deep into my bones, though, because it was well balanced by laughter, affection and so, so much hope and love.

This story proved that financial stability doesn't guarantee happiness, and falling in love can sometimes be the the final push over the edge of depression. A story of having to learn to love oneself before loving another, because ultimately, Jessie had to give up the easy way of constant, medicated oblivion and choose the hard way of fighting his demons. Both him and Theo had to learn to own up to their imperfections before they could try being perfect for each other.

Beautifully Toxic is an emotional start for this series and I hope next is Declan and Ezra's story.

[Janessa Paun · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. I will say that the one thing that I can’t stand about this book was how bad Declan made me feel for him the whole time, he just wanted love but the situation that he’s in makes it seem impossible to him. And he’s trying to do his best to keep his found family intact the way that it is by pushing the one he loves away even though it only hurts them both. Every character in this book though had an impact on me and I really only wanted their complete and utter happiness as they are such beautifully tragic people who honestly just need a hug that I hope they are able to get soon. They have all had seriously messed up lives and that greatly affects their behavior. The age gap in this book isn’t really talked about enough and I guess because of that I wasn’t as focused on it as I should be.