Trigger warnings for suicidal thoughts, infidelity, child abuse

Thank you, NineStar Press, for the advance reading copy.

One of the books which lived up to its blurb. And I am happy!

This book gripped me from the very first page! Because things kept happening and I was just not ready for them! And I will never be.

Please make sure you are aware of all the trigger warnings given at the beginning of the book and make sure you're mature enough and ready to read a story this one.

The triggering scenes were a bit too much for me at times so I had to keep the book away for hours before picking it up.

The writing is really good. The character development is surprising. We get to read the story from different perspectives.

I don't think anyone would be ready anytime to read this book but I am sure once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down.

I loved the father daughter bond. It's beautiful. I wish they ended up with someone better. Damn.

Can we stop crying now?22 s CrabbyPatty1,652 179



I just finished Toxic and .... I don't know. On one hand, I admire the deft twists - a long-term relationship sadly torn apart, a chance at a new romance with a hot man - and then the horrible realization that this new love is nothing he appears to be. But on the other hand, it was ... less than I had hoped.

One of the things I about Rick Reed's books is that you really know his characters - their foibles, desires, dreams - and in Toxic, the POV moves between Connor, his ex Steve, his daughter Miranda and the new man in his life, Trey. However, with the exception of Miranda, the characters feel lightly fleshed out and as a result, actions by the various characters seemed unly, but then again I didn't have a good sense of any of their characters to really know.

However, Reed does an exceptional job in fleshing out the circumstances of the book and those feel real and very personal. That sense that maybe a long-term relationship is a bit stale and the new man is the answer to a new exciting passion; the heartache that there is no second chance, the growing horror that the trust Connor placed in Trey was sadly misplaced, that sense that nothing and no one is safe, Miranda's intuition right away that something is not right - those elements really make this story soar.

Overall, the horror elements of this story kept me turning the pages until the very end. And to be fair, this is not a romance novel, but rather a story based on the harrowing things that can happen when searching for love. 3.5 stars for Toxic.

I received an ARC from IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.2022-reads arcs-received bad-things-happened ...more9 s Trio3,282 182

Holy Smokes, what a thrill!

I love mysteries that are just a little scary, where the tension builds, and you can't wait to see what happens next. Rick R. Reed has penned a brilliant one in Toxic. Given the way the story starts out, it's no great stretch to figure out just who the bad guy is, but finding out how it all goes down... that's a nail biter!

Very exciting, and beautifully written - of course, it is Rick R. Reed after all.

I listened to the audio version of Toxic and I have to say I really appreciated Paul Will's performance. This is a vast cast of characters, and there's a great deal of emotion, and Mr. Will brings it all to life admirably. I'm especially impressed with his delivery of Connor's daughter Miranda, who has a pivotal role in the story.

an audiobook copy of Toxic was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my ownarc-r2r audio-book-uk mystery-suspense-thriller ...more7 s ReadingAddict198 5

Wow. This book is dark, twisted, and disturbing. It is amazing!
Please be aware of the trigger warning!

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It is captivating and soo disturbing because the story could be real. I had goosebumps and was terrified throughout some parts of this book.

I don't want to tell much about the book, as you really need to read it without knowing what it is about.

Absolutely loved it!

*I received this book as an ARC. I chose to leave an honest review.*m-m3 s ??? ?????Author 2 books27

I don't read horror very often but this sounded really great and it was absolutely brilliant! I was hooked from the beginning and very invested in the story and the characters. I'm glad we got many POVs, I thought that they helped with the suspense a lot. I loved it and I thought that the ending was perfect. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. 3 s L.D.1,578 1 follower

Toxic is a suspenseful thriller that had my heart in my throat. It’s clear from the start that something horrible has happened to Connor and his adult daughter Miranda, and soon we know who the culprit is. What we don’t know is how this all unfolded. The story jumps back in time to the beginning moments that introduce the fatal decisions that start the disaster ball rolling.

We, as the readers, know that something terrible is in store for the main characters, and that tension just keeps escalating as the charming villain plays Connor and preys on his good nature. I love this kind of suspense in a thriller because I get sucked in and HAVE to know the details of what happened. I found myself yelling at Connor and Miranda despite knowing it was futile, but that kind of investment into the characters is what made this book riveting.

The audiobook was narrated by Paul Will who does a great job voicing Connor. His voice for Miranda was consistent, but the real emotional depth was with Connor’s performance. The audiobook production was well done. 3 s Linda Reads1,346 10

Gripping thriller, dark, edge-of-your-seat story where M/M is quite secondary to plot
There are warnings in the front of the book to heed, so keep in mind this is a dark story with a sociopath as a main character. Even more intriguing, the author was inspired to write this book from a true story.
If you dark stories, you will love this one. I read until I finished it in one day. I literally could not read fast enough! Told in various points of view (POV): Connor, Trey and Miranda.
The book opens with Connor sitting by Miranda his daughter’s hospital bed remembering...from that point on I could not put this book down. It is terrifying; my heart was beating madly at some events/scenes.
Connor is hurting because the man he thought would be there by his side forever, up and leaves him for another man. Connor’s solution is to go online to a gay dating site and find someone new. He’s convinced this handsome new man named Trey Goodall could be his new lover. Trey is very charming and charismatic, but we soon realize he is also cold, calculating and lacks empathy. He talks a good game, but the truth we get to see in his POV.
Truly phenomenal book. This is the kind of book that would make a great TV thriller, but I could not watch it! If I did my heart would jump out of my chest. Allow yourself plenty of time when you start reading because you won’t want to leave it unfinished. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and I give it high praise!
2 s Reed1,096 20

This story grabbed me from the start and held on past the end. I expected a romance/mystery but this is so much more. This is family relationships. It is about what makes a person do something out of the normal. Connor is suddenly left without his partner of over 20 years and floundering. He does all the things a left behind person would do. Hates the happy postings on social media about his ex. Feels bad being jealous over what he has lost. Not knowing where to start as a single person again. Then he takes to social media and meets Trey. This character is so easy to hate. Trey does manage to prey on Connor’s situation and things go downhill. There are a number of triggers in this story but to me they just added. There are quite a few situations I didn’t see coming. These made me second guess where I expected the story to go. Even when it followed what I expected things would suddenly change and made me want to keep reading. This was a hard book to put down for me. I really enjoyed the unexpected and appreciate how the author brought together everything at the end leaving me with all questions answered. The story stayed with me for awhile since it is all so possible.2 s SandyB325

Reed amazes me - he writes in so many different genres, some of which I never read otherwise, but every book of his grabs my attention, and I can’t put it down.

Toxic is a multiple POV psychological thriller where the tension ratchets up as the reader knows exactly what’s happening and follows along while the protagonists figure it out. But then there are clues that maybe the reader didn’t have figured out quite right and yeah, then you go down that spiral and it’s all just deliciously suspenseful and puzzling. There’s some parts where I personally wanted more, including an HFN that I enjoyed but felt a bit rushed for me. This author writes romance well, too, and even though this isn't a romance novel, I wanted it all.

I received a copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest opinion.2 s Keith Chawgo484 17

Rick Reed’s newest book is a well written book about a toxic person entering a person’s life when they are at their weakest and the problems that occur as things slowly turn in on itself.

Toxic is a great read that keeps the reader fully immersed within the pages. Connor is a man whose life is turned upside down when his long-time companion leaves and takes on with a younger guy. He tries a dating app and meets the man from hell who will turn his life far beyond anything he has ever written from his cosy little mystery novels.

The characters are well drawn, and he has given them a three-dimensional feel keeping them firmly planted in reality. Connor and his daughter Melissa are very well drawn out though Steve, the ex probably could have made more of an impact though his part does make a splash. Trey is a noteworthy villain who seems that his dark side is just a bit darker than one would suppose from the beginning.

The plot is fast moving, and it moves at a good page turning pace. Never really lulling and keeping the reader at the end of their seat as it progresses to its head turning finale that lingers in the subconscious long after the final sentence.

I have read Reed’s books in the past and here he has really outdone himself. His characters are fresh and don’t fall within the woke category but are more real and tangible. You feel you know these people as they are fully realised. This is an excellent page turner and great to see Reed’s writing and plotting at his most excellence. Worth the read.2 s Annie1,716 25

4.5 stars

Toxic is aptly named and quite the wild ride. While I knew this author's promise of a twisted tale wouldn't skimp on intensity, I wasn't prepared at how it would pull me in. This is definitely a story worthy of the trigger warnings, including infidelity, abuse, catfishing, and stalking, so prepare yourself for all of that and more before going into this sordid story.

Toxic is certainly not a romance, though there are romantic elements that run within its plotline. However, this is more a story about the main character, Connor, trying to navigate the muddy and sometimes violent waters of romances gone wrong. The characters in Toxic were varied and well-developed to a degree. The author does a wonderful job at describing their motivations and thoughts enough to carry the reader along on this very twisted path. That said, I never felt wholly close to any of these characters. I'm not sure if it was the way they were written or more that there was simply so much intense action and drama taking place that I fixated on that rather than the character bonds I might have in a different book.

Regardless, Toxic is a harrowing tale that is packed full of suspense and unexpected connections that will keep a reader on the edge of their seat. If you are looking for a story that is gripping and a little dark, Toxic is definitely worth the read.

***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. **arcs dark m-m ...more2 s AshPenny37 864 2

The first big call out for me is to take note of the trigger warnings - there are some big ones here: suicidal ideation, abuse of minors, on-page violence, etc. The second is that this is not a romance novel, despite being set against a backdrop of dating and relationships. What we have in Toxic is yet another wickedly good dark suspense from this author. The story takes on the potential dangers of what you might catch if you cast your net into the murky waters of online dating…especially if you're not in it for the right reasons, or in the right headspace for doing it.

There's solid characterisation - Connor, Miranda and Steve are flawed yet sympathetic characters and Trey is one of those who build their lives on manipulating others to fulfil a twisted sense of entitlement. The themes of family, close relationships and trust all resonate. I particularly find interesting the conscious thought of 'if it's too good to be true…' being overridden by that master manipulation. And, of course, there's the author's trademark quality descriptions of both the physical backdrop (Seattle, in this instance) and the emotional landscape right from the despair/fallout of Steve's leaving the family unit to the seeds of hope of a brighter future in the epilogue.

For me, all of these elements woven together results in one of those rare creatures: a suspense novel whose blurb essentially tells you the story and yet still manages to deliver an edge of your seat thriller full of twists and turns that I had to read in one sitting (though I did set it aside until I was ready to read it). The declaration that Toxic is inspired by a true story? Well, that just makes it extra chilling. It's 4.5* from me.

An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.1 Amy Voce402 27

Cautionary tale of the dangers the internet presents.

Do we really know who we're talking to behind the masks of our screens?

Multiple POV with excellent character development, the multiple POV builds the story to it's climatic end.

There are some trigger warnings that need to be addressed throughout the story. These consist of suicidal ideation, Murder, death, infidelity and child abuse. Several of these scenes were quite upsetting and could cause some readers distress. Please pay attention to the warnings.

We follow Connor a mystery novelist and his daughter, recently single following a heartbreak. He's about to set off on the endeavour of internet dating. But the pitfalls awaiting him are inexorable.

This was a fascinating read with lots of twists and turns. I really felt for the characters. Toxic really pull's you in from the get go.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review1 Nichole612

This is a not a happy book. There are triggers and a darkness to this story. You must understand all that when you jump in, or you won't enjoy the story as it should be read. This book is very well written. The emotions the author wants you to feel for each of the characters is real - hate, anger, disgust for the bad guy and sympathy, comfort, and caring for the good guys. Make sure you are in the right head space for this book. I do appreciate that the author wrapped this book up nicely. I was worried where it would go and yet it all came together. If you the dark, then give it a try!1 Roger R477 9

What a page-turning book it was! I wasn’t expecting it to be that dark, twisted, or morbid but it was very GOOD! Rick Reed did a wonderful job writing this book which made me think of “Gone Girl” in a way. This one had three different POVs…Connor, Trey, and Connor’s daughter, Miranda which was a nice departure from the usual two POVs in M/M books but honestly M/M was pretty much not the main point in this particular book. It’s just an intense book to read. If you can handle intense, read it, if not, don’t read it. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it since I volunteered to review it as an ARC. I give it 5 stars! 1 Liliyana Shadowlyn2,808 91

This was a thrilling, wild ride, that grabbed me from page one. There were some moments that might be difficult for some readers, but they're not gratuitous by any means. The father-daughter bond will absolutely warm your heart, and Trey will just leave your stomach in knots from the moment he's introduced. There's an underlying element of all-to-realness that will give you goosebumps throughout the story, after all, not all monsters live under our beds or in our nightmares. A dark story you'll want to read with the lights on, and your phone off.1 Arllau535 2

Well written story that focuses on one persons experience with modern online dating and the effects on family. The toxic nature of evil humans gaslighting the vulnerable. Read are the triggers in the beginning of the book as their are mentions of violence, suicidal ideations, etc.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy. 1 Amanda Reeves2,072 10

This is a book of triggers and is definitely dark, heed the warnings. It's well written with a great storyline that I loved. Whether good or bad, there is just a ton of emotions going through this book, I had a hard time putting it down once I opened it. 1 Ida Umphers4,394 35

Loved the suspense in this one, especially when Miranda realizes what Trey is before Connor does. Trey is written so skillfully, he does initially appear to be a dream catch. And then.....Leave the lights on and don't start this one right before bed. You won't stop reading until it's finished.1 Bianca576 4

It was an interesting twisted story that brings to front the worst of what a man could do when greed and revenge have the front seat.
We see how innocent souls in search of love and happiness are preyed on and took advantage of, and how far a being could get to have the comfort and money he didn't work for.
It was a read full of danger, adrenaline, betrayal and revenge, and the fight for justice and life in the end did win.
It also has an unexpected ending were happiness is obtained by two souls that suffered the most.
1 RACHEL REED950 1 follower

I absolutely loved this dark thriller .

Such a great book with a solid storyline and great characters.

I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.1 Julie Bedwell719 7

I never know what to expect when I read this author, but I always know it will be a captivating story that I cannot stop reading. This one is no exception. The book is a lot of twists, a little on the dark side, and very much worth reading.1 Pamela Daake468

Wow! I listened to this book and it was stellar! It was intriguing and kept my attention on the storyline. I sure wouldn’t call this a romance but it a darn good listen!1 Jennifer Reilley1,090 27

I heard seen this book advertised and was intrigued. I was even more excited when an Arc was offered.

This is my first book by Rick and just Wow. Now you do need to heed the trigger warning because there are quite a few. Suicide thoughts , death, child abuse, and more

What a wild ride I went on and he even write it with multiple POV which at first I was Why. But in the end I was happy to have it that way.

I read this book in a day and a half so I must have clearly enjoyed it. It was dark and twisted. My heart did ache for Connor and his daughter. The ending was honestly not what I ever saw coming either1 DLB25722,308 21

This is a dark thriller with a good story. I found myself sucked in from the start. I just could not stop listening especially when you add in the great narration. Please pay attention to trigger warnings.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinionaudible-library review-books1 Brianne McCallum1,017 4

?? Trigger warning: suicidal thoughts, mentions of past child abuse and cheating.

Connor was in a 20 year relationship when his partner Steve randomly left him for another man with no warning signs, totally blindsiding him and his daughter. Then he joins online dating and goes all in with Trey the first man to contact him.

I usually try my best to be nice
but this book is so ridiculous. The only reason I finished (and I really didn't want to btw) was because that first prologue was brilliant and sucked me in and made me want to finish to know what caused that big event (so that was deserving of at least one star).

As for the rest, yikes!

First off the MC is suppose to be super attached to his daughter best friends yet he meets this guy and after all of a few weeks treats her total crap, lies to her and won't hear her out and pushes her away. Second, he is all in after a couple weeks after being betrayed by a 20 year relationship. I believe in the rebound thing but come on. Third, I love these kinds of dark stories where the bad guy is charming and so smooth that they blindside the characters (that's what I was hoping this would be) but Trey was a total jerk to Connor right from the very start. He was never once charming or tried to hide who he really was or his lies. I just couldn't believe how dumb Connor was. Nobody is that dumb when faced with the obvious and what the heck did he see in Trey when he treated him total crap. I just can't with this ridiculousness. I just finished cause I d the daughter and wanted to know her conclusion. There were also alot more inconsistencies and things that didn't make sense but I can't say them without spoilers.

This was an audio review and the narrator did a fabulous job expressing the emotions and varying all the voices and bringing the story to life. I would still only give it 4 stars at most though because Treys gravely voice while fitting for low class rat that he really was, didn't portray the young, hot swoon worthy description of a guy that could get countless men falling for him. His voice was cringey along with his horrid personality. Gabbi GreyAuthor 38 books223

Intriguing story (an audio review)

I didn’t read the blurb for this book – choosing to go in blind as I often do. The first chapter sets things up clearly, but I spent the rest of the book wondering why it’d been included at the beginning since it gave away much of the ending. The last paragraph of the book loops back and it all makes sense, but I kind of wondered if it’d been better without giving so much away.

Well, no worries. I enjoyed the book. Told from multiple points of view, this is really Connor Ryman’s story. He’s got everything going for him when his long-term partner leaves him. He decides he doesn’t want to be single, so he embarks on a journey to find a partner. Cue dating apps.

Ugh. Personally, I don’t see the appeal. But speed dating is no longer a thing, so what other options are out there?

Connor meets Trey who appears to be everything one would hope for in a partner. Things start going sideways, though, and it’s pretty clear Trey’s not a good guy. The question was, of course, how is this going to end?

End it did, and I enjoyed the story. Made all the better with the audio narrated by Paul Will. The story had thriller elements, but was just a good book with interesting characters and a good plot. I enjoyed it.

1 Lesetiger477 2


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