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.
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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.
Usually I’m hesitant about books with 18-year-old main characters but Charity Parkerson pulls it off with Beautifully Toxic. Theo’s not your typical 18-year-old, having aged out of the the foster care system, ending up homeless and fending for himself. Jessie’s not your typical sugar daddy – he’s not really a daddy at all, he’s a rich rock star who’s been through some trauma and self-medicates with a variety of mood-altering, mind-altering substances. Trigger warning – there is a suicide attempt and a ton of drug use. As sexy as it is, I really enjoyed the emotional connections and love story in this quick, but satisfying, read.
Charity is an auto-buy for me. One of my favorite LGBT authors and I know the story is going to suck me in and not let me go until the very end. Beautifully Toxic was no different. Enjoy the ride!
I really liked this romance between a drug addicted rock star and a homeless younger man who’d never known love. Jessie and Theo were wonderful together, though they were definitely co-dependent. Each needed the other to feel good about themselves. I enjoyed seeing them rescue each other over and over. Despite the angst and drama, there was a lot of sweetness in this story, which I adored. I cared about these men, and the other sad and broken men in their lives. I’m excited about the next book in the series. I’m hooked, and I’m happy about it.
Theo is homeless and knows what it’s like being unwanted. Jessie is a famous drummer and is in a very dark place. Jessie finds himself with an unexpected houseguest instead of kicking out Theo he welcomes him into his misfit family.
This is a sweet very emotional, slightly angsty short read. I definitely recommend this book!
Let me preface the review with saying it really is a very good book and an emotional read that packs a hefty punch. The plot and most importantly, background for both MCs makes for a lot of difficult baggage that seeps from the pages with angst.
Here comes the “but”. It’s too short! And not only because I liked it and would like to see more (which I would), but because of the shortcuts the story feels somewhat disjointed. There is a lot more depth to be added to make it a great story. Rushing angsty stories like this just doesn’t do them justice in my opinion. So there. I liked it and it’s got great bones. But…
Beautifully Toxic by Charity Parkerson is my first read by this author and I must say I enjoyed this read. It is the the first book in the authors new Candied Crush series and I am excited to read the next installment. Jessie Thunder is a famous drummer. Theo is an 18 year old homeless teen he discovers sleeping in his pool house. But ultimately who saves who isn’t what you’d think. It was a quick read, but it packed an emotional punch. Add in a few interesting side characters, and Beautifully Toxic was worth a look.
Really 4.5 out of 5 stars and I never do this. I think this could have more details, but as a short novella, it fits the bill. I just think about my personal experience as a family member of a drug addict and it is awful and hard and it’s not easy, so if I had one thing, there’d be more about Theo and Jesse’s brother just to see their side and maybe a bit more time in rehab. Again, I am saying it if this was fleshed out to be a longer story. I still felt that it was authentic and I like that Theo didn’t suffer Jesse’s addiction but took care of himself, such a strong ability at a young age. I thought it was sweet love story that is kind of just starting. I would definitely recommend this book
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.
Thunder’s Savior
Charity Parkerson, I don’t know how you do it but please don’t stop. Theo and Jesse are the beautiful start to a fantastic new series and I already want more. “You look like music.” Theo is undoubtably Jesse’s heart and soul and while Jesse may not be a white knight, he is the perfect counterpart to Theo. Fascinating characters, moving dialogue and love that sings, I can Theo and Jesse’s love written in the stars.
This deeply emotional love story between aged out rocker, Jessie and Theo, a homeless man looking for love and acceptance was dark with addiction but with light at the end of the tunnel filled with love. Each man in this story had a dark past but each had a kindness and light inside of them that was just waiting to shine through. Jessie and Theo had a very rocky path to love but with acceptance and support, they made it to their happily ever after.
Beautifully Toxic is the first book in the Candied Crush series by Charity Parkerson. In this contemporary m/m romance, a homeless eighteen year old and an older famous and jaded drummer bring readers a love story that hurt, comforts and brings all those feels. Theo and Jesse are interesting characters who offer each other things the other need – love and home. There is angst, sweetness and a bit of heat – I enjoyed reading this quick read.
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.