This was just okay. This paranormal romance turned into a serial killer mystery but unfortunately, I guessed the big twist early on. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the heroine. I thought she was kind of annoying. However, I did like Baek and think he deserved better. I don’t really have much else to say about this one. ( )

This was just okay. This paranormal romance turned into a serial killer mystery but unfortunately, I guessed the big twist early on. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the heroine. I thought she was kind of annoying. However, I did like Baek and think he deserved better. I don’t really have much else to say about this one. ( )

How to Date Your Dragon
4.5 Stars

Jillian Ramsay, an anthropologist for the League for Interspecies Cooperation, is sent to the small town of Mystic Bayou, Louisiana to study the residents as they are the only town comprised of diverse species from humans to witches to shifters of various kinds. Upon arrival, Jillian is immediately off-kilter as the sexy local sheriff, Bael Boone, makes no bones about his objection to the study. The situation is exacerbated when locals who have spoken to Jillian turn up dead.

This is a delightful romp with relatable characters (despite their otherworldly abilities), a charming romance, and an exciting suspense plot.

The basic premise of a town in the middle of nowhere in which supernaturals and humans live together in harmony is very intriguing. The history of the town and many of its residents are fleshed out very well for such a short read. One of the highlights is Harper's incorporation of classic mythological elements within her characterization, such as the dragon's hoard.

The romance between Bael and Jillian gets off to a rocky start, but they are both likeable and their interactions are entertaining. One minor issue is the sudden transition from adversaries to lovers - one minute they are having a conversation and the next they are having sex on a pile of gold.

The mystery surrounding the murder of several residents is well done although it is pretty easy to guess both the culprit and the motive once the connection between the victims becomes clear. That said the climax and resolution are exciting and satisfying.

All in all, a fun beginning to the series and I look forward to reading more about the quirky residents of Mystic Bayou. One a final note, Amanda Ronconi's narration is wonderful but the male narrator, Jonathan Davis, takes some getting used to. ( )

This was an entertaining urban fantasy. Jillian Ramsay is an anthropologist who has been sent by the League for Interspecies Cooperation to Louisiana to explore Mystic Bayou, a small town where shifters and humans have been getting along for generations.

It is Jillian's first survey mission. While the local bear shifter who is the mayor is very welcoming, the sheriff Bael Boone is much less friendly and much more suspicious. Strange things are happening in town; some humans are developing unexplained powers. Bael's thought is that it comes from living so close to the Rift where magic happens.

When someone starts killing these humans who have developed magical powers right after Jillian has interviewed them, suspicions start to rise that Jillian has something to do with it. And Bael is developing feelings for Jillian that Jillian isn't trusting. She's just out of a bad relationship with a boyfriend who stalked her and didn't want to let her go. And she's only in town long enough to do her research and complete her survey.

Learning that Bael is a dragon shifter is a surprise for her. Dragons are the most secretive and reclusive of all the various kinds of shifters. So little is known about them that Jillian has no idea what she's getting into by beginning a relationship with him.

Jillian, who has developed magical powers of her own after a close encounter with the Rift, is almost the killer's final victim. But she almost rescues herself before Bael can find her and finish the deal.

This was a fun story. I enjoyed the dual narrators and the switch between viewpoint characters on a chapter-by-chapter basis. ( )

Well, the mystery wasn't especially mysterious, but the town and its residents were so fun that it didn't matter much. I will say, the romance (and consequent initial sex scene) came out of nowhere... I literally had to start rereading the chapter over to see if I missed something. Nope - it really was that abrupt. I think it would've had more impact if there'd been some more build-up first. ( )