by Molly Harper
Series: Mystic Bayou #1
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi, Jonathan Davis
Length: 6 hours and 33 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4.5 cups
Anthropologist Jillian Ramsay's career has taken a turn south.
Concerned that technology is about to chase mythological 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....
I’ve only listened to a novella by Molly Harper, and blogging friends have encouraged me to try more, so when How to Date Your Dragon, the first in the Mystic Bayou series became available I knew it was time. I am so glad that I did. I loved the town of Mystic Bayou and its inhabitants. Harper quickly pulled me in, as did the stellar narration.
Eep! I enjoyed this first in series and loved the worldbuilding Harper created for the Mystic Bayou series. The story delivered a murder-mystery, humor, and romance. I quickly imagined this paranormal romance series nesting among my favorites.
Shifters of every variety live openly with humans in the small town of Mystic Bayou while the rest of the world remains unaware. The League for Interspecies Cooperation studies these creatures and as concerns grow that the secret world of shifters will be exposed they decide to begin a study of Mystic Bayou, Lousiana. It is their hope it will be an outline for future societies. Anthropologist Jillian Ramsay’s first assignment is derailed, and she is sent to Mystic Bayou after her mentor is injured.
As one would expect of a small southern town, the folks in Mystic Bayou aren’t exactly happy to see Jillian. They don’t take kindly to strangers especially ones who intend to study them. From the moment Jilian parks her van outside of city hall and meets the mayor, a bear-shifter named Zed I was hooked. City Hall houses everything, including the local sheriff’s office. Bael Boone, whom Jillian describes as the finest specimen of a man she has seen in a long time, is not at all happy to see Jillian. If he had his way, she’d be leaving town. I loved their initial banter and couldn’t wait for more!
The story, available first on Audio, is narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis. Amanda was the perfect choice for Jillian. I was pleased they decided to add Jonathan Davis to the mix While he is a new to me narrator his accent and deep baritone voice lent itself perfectly to the male voices. He truly enhanced the humor, particularly for Zed and Bael.
Mystic Bayou is such a fascinating town. It consists of a tiny main street and then there are homes set along the bayou and deep in the woods. There are all sorts of creatures and some unusual anomalies which should prove to be very interesting. I loved the concept of Jillian being an anthropologist and interviewing residents. While she may not have field experience, her handling of the town and in particular Bael was well done and hilarious to witness. Groping shifters, pie, and Bael made for good times.
Harper threaded an exciting murder-mystery into the tale that added suspense and aided the romance. All resulted in a fun, entertaining and engaging listen. There are well-placed sex scenes that were delicious without being overly detailed making this a good fit for everyone. I loved how the story wrapped up and teased us with things to come.
Fans of paranormal romance featuring shifters, humor and fleshed out characters with a touch of mystery will want to grab their earbuds and listen to How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper.
Fans of paranormal romance featuring shifters, humor and fleshed out characters with a touch of mystery will want to grab their earbuds and listen to How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper. #iloveaudiobooks #mustlisten Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
MarthaE
Molly Harper can be such fun. Glad you liked this. I will add it to my Wish List (if its not already there).
Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly
Enjoy when you get to it.
Debbie Haupt
Kim I’ve featured her on the blog and have been looking for a title that really interests me this one really does so I may pull out the card and buy it.
Kimberly
Sweet! I hope you enjoy it Debbie
Lover Of Romance
I had a blast with this book here!! It was so dang good, and the world building was fantastic, I just loved the characters of the mystic bayou and I can’t wait to see what Harper does with the series. 🙂 And yes the dual narration was fantastic.
Kimberly
Yay so glad you felt the same. I cannot wait for more!
Melanie Simmons
I’m so glad that you tried Molly Harper. She is a favorite for me. She always makes me laugh. I hope you will try some of her other series, Naked Werewolf Trilogy, Jane Jameson and Half-Moon Hollow (spinoff of Jane’s series) and they are all read by Amanda Ronconi.
Kimberly
I have them on my backlist wishlist 🙂
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
Loved this! Adding the male narrator was different for me and I didn’t mind it. This story was good for a fun, light listen.
Kimberly
I think it worked well. And now we wait for the next audio!
Cindy
I am not sure about dragons but this book sounds good and I do love a murder mystery!
Kimberly
Think lots of shifters. Most appear in human form.
Tracy Terry
Still determined not to begin any books that form a series unless of course …. lengthy list. I’m just not too sure if this is worth breaking my self imposed ban for and yet at the same time I fear reading it I find myself committed to reading the series. Something I hope makes sense to others and not just me.
Kimberly
The struggle is real. I am letting go of romance series and focusing more on UF and Paranormal series. So many are ending that I’ve read/listened to so I am not feeling overwhelmed.
Heidi
I enjoy Molly Harper, though I was disappointed in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. I will have to give this a go since it is a new series. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Kimberly
I really enjoyed Sweet Tea and Sympathy, although it was very different from what she usually writes.
Blodeuedd
Aww it sounds like such a fun listen!
Kimberly
It was full of humor and had a great story.
Mary Kirkland
Oh this one is definitely going in my wish list.
Kimberly
Sweet. I hope you enjoy it Mary 🙂
Jenea’s Book Onsession
Oh wow, does this sound amazing! The Mystic Bayou sounds like one fascinating place with all its mythical creatures. I will have to add this one to my wishlist right now!
Kimberly
Yippie. Enjoy Jenea!
Ethan
I really need to delve into one of these mystery tinged with fantasy novels. I’m no stranger to a good mystery, so I don’t see why I wouldn’t enjoy them.
Kimberly
I think you’d enjoy some of these Ethan.
sherry fundin
Everything about the book appeals to me.
Kimberly
Yay. I hope you enjoy it Sherry :0
Lily
set in a southern town, romance, mystery, fun. I’ve been wanting to try her as well, seeing as this is the first book in the series maybe I should do as you did 😀
Kimberly
I hope you do Lily!
Daniela Ark
even though Dragons are not my favorite creatures I do like that the idea of this Mystic Bayou where fantasy creatures and humans coexist! And Mermaids! I’m starting to read about them now! 🙂
Kimberly
There are merpeople, alligator, birds and more.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
This sounds like a fun audiobook. I have wanted to get this one myself and since the sexy scenes aren’t outrageous I think I will. I always have ears around me and don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with those kind of scenes. Thanks for the great review it’s now on my audible list!
Kimberly
I totally get it. I usually use earphones unless I am home alone. One time I was listening and did not hear my 25-year-old son come home. He groaned and said omg is this porn for the blind? Oops.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
HAHAHAHA OMG, I would have been so embarrassed by that. Mortified even, if it was my kid…LOL Good Laugh there! Thank you for that!
Vanessa
Just the title itself makes me want to read it right away. I love dragons and the sypnosis and your review added fuel to the fire. Got to check it out! Great review 🙂
Kimberly
Happy listening Vanessa!
Berls
I haven’t read this one yet, but I’m a huge Harper fan. I didn’t realize there were two narrators – that’s something new for Harper! I look forward to reading it though – I have it all downloaded from Audible.
Kimberly
Enjoy Berls and the dual narration was perfect.
Sophia Rose
This was my first trip with Molly Harper and I had a great time, too. It was also one of the few times I enjoyed a dual narration- I loved what they both brought to the storytelling.
Yes, Mystic Bayou and its residents totally won me over.
Kimberly
Yay, I am glad this was a hit for you as well. A lot of authors I listen to do dual narrations and this was a good pairing.
Lindsi
Ohhh, yes! This sounds wonderful! I loved the title, but the synopsis was great, too. Your review was all the icing I needed. The setting sounds lovely, and I really think this will be something I’ll enjoy. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
Do You Dog-ear?
Kimberly
I hope you enjoy it Lindsi!