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Baby, You're the Best
New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison introduces her most seductive and vulnerable characters yet with the Crystal women, a family whose bonds are tested by love, lust, and the elusive quest for true happiness. . .
Blake Crystal has the best of almost everything. She's at the top of her game at work, she has four wonderful daughters, and at fifty, she's more financially secure than she's ever been. In and out of the bedroom, her new younger lover takes her in breathtaking directions that force her to make decisions she never imagined. . .
On the surface, Alexis Crystal is an ideal daughter. As confident as she is beautiful, she can have any man or woman she wants, so she has both in her collection of bed partners. Determined to add one more, she doesn't care that he's dating a family member. But for all the satisfaction she gets between the sheets, she's left unsatisfied by the one thing that troubles her--the identity of her father is listed as unknown on her birth certificate. Her mother has kept him a secret for twenty-six years. Alexis can't move forward with her life until she stands face-to-face with the man she feels abandoned her. It doesn't help that her three other sisters don't know the identity of their fathers either. . .but they've also got their hands full with problems. . .
As the Crystal women celebrate Blake's big birthday, they realize the issues in their relationships are too big to ignore. To get what they want, they'll have to lie, use their seductive power, battle their insecurities, and if necessary, betray each other. . .
Book 1 in The Crystal Series
Blake Crystal has the best of almost everything. She's at the top of her game at work, she has four wonderful daughters, and at fifty, she's more financially secure than she's ever been. In and out of the bedroom, her new younger lover takes her in breathtaking directions that force her to make decisions she never imagined. . .
On the surface, Alexis Crystal is an ideal daughter. As confident as she is beautiful, she can have any man or woman she wants, so she has both in her collection of bed partners. Determined to add one more, she doesn't care that he's dating a family member. But for all the satisfaction she gets between the sheets, she's left unsatisfied by the one thing that troubles her--the identity of her father is listed as unknown on her birth certificate. Her mother has kept him a secret for twenty-six years. Alexis can't move forward with her life until she stands face-to-face with the man she feels abandoned her. It doesn't help that her three other sisters don't know the identity of their fathers either. . .but they've also got their hands full with problems. . .
As the Crystal women celebrate Blake's big birthday, they realize the issues in their relationships are too big to ignore. To get what they want, they'll have to lie, use their seductive power, battle their insecurities, and if necessary, betray each other. . .
Book 1 in The Crystal Series
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2015
154 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
About the author
Mary B. Morrison
58 books968 followersMary B. Morrison, New York Times best-selling author is the up and coming artist with a multiple book-to-film deal. Mary has seventeen published novels including her newest release, If I Can’t Have You.
She writes for Kensington Publishing Corporation as Mary B. Morrison and Grand Central Publishing as HoneyB. In her novels Mary addresses social and sexual issues while empowering her female characters.
“Women Rule,” that’s the way I see it. “Beside every great man there is a powerful woman. The same does not hold true for every successful woman. A lot of us are single because men want to wear the pants, even if they didn’t buy them.”
Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment and filmmaker, Leslie Small, optioned the film rights to Mary B. Morrison’s popular Soulmates Dissipate series (which includes seven novels). Her first book, Soulmates Dissipate, is being developed for feature film in 2013.
Mary is an Executive Producer on her film deal and she was Executive Producer and playwright for her stage play Single Husbands (based on her novel under her pen name HoneyB).
On June 3, 2000, Mary withdrew her retirement to self-publish her debut novel, Soulmates Dissipate. Mary has also sponsored an anthology publishing 33 students entitled Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders.
Lift Every Voice and Write is Mary’s non-profit. The organization is established to help increase literacy and support students interested in pursuing writing as a career.
Born in Aurora, Illinois, and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mary is the middle child of seven. She’s a graduate of McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans and Berkeley Community College in Berkeley, California.
Her wonderful son, Jesse Byrd, Jr. is a 2010 graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and producer on Mary’s film deal. Jesse has recently completed his first novel and owns a clothing business, OiseauChateau.com.
Mary currently resides in Oakland, California.
She writes for Kensington Publishing Corporation as Mary B. Morrison and Grand Central Publishing as HoneyB. In her novels Mary addresses social and sexual issues while empowering her female characters.
“Women Rule,” that’s the way I see it. “Beside every great man there is a powerful woman. The same does not hold true for every successful woman. A lot of us are single because men want to wear the pants, even if they didn’t buy them.”
Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment and filmmaker, Leslie Small, optioned the film rights to Mary B. Morrison’s popular Soulmates Dissipate series (which includes seven novels). Her first book, Soulmates Dissipate, is being developed for feature film in 2013.
Mary is an Executive Producer on her film deal and she was Executive Producer and playwright for her stage play Single Husbands (based on her novel under her pen name HoneyB).
On June 3, 2000, Mary withdrew her retirement to self-publish her debut novel, Soulmates Dissipate. Mary has also sponsored an anthology publishing 33 students entitled Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders.
Lift Every Voice and Write is Mary’s non-profit. The organization is established to help increase literacy and support students interested in pursuing writing as a career.
Born in Aurora, Illinois, and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mary is the middle child of seven. She’s a graduate of McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans and Berkeley Community College in Berkeley, California.
Her wonderful son, Jesse Byrd, Jr. is a 2010 graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and producer on Mary’s film deal. Jesse has recently completed his first novel and owns a clothing business, OiseauChateau.com.
Mary currently resides in Oakland, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 30, 2015
Baby You're the Best by Mary B. Morrison is indeed the best romance novel readers will read. Mary B. Morrison is a best-selling author and once reading this highly amusing and addictive novel written by her, readers will have no doubts of her magic ability as a writer. Her book features love, insecurities, and lies all within one family of five women. A mother and her four daughters will go head to head battling each other for things they want and need. One intriguing drama after the other.
Baby You're the Best is a tale of a going to be fifty year old woman who is bedding a younger man to pleasure her in bed. She has everything in life and is successful, plus she has four beautiful daughters. Then there's one of her daughters who has fallen into the same path as her mom, with multiple bed partners of which none so far have been successful in pleasuring her in bed. So, Alexis Crystal goes after her mother's bed partner. Alexis dosen't care. But what she does care is that one her birth certificate and on each of her other three sisters the father is unlisted. This really bothers Alexis. What child doesn't want to at least know who her father is? This is one romance story that readers won't want to miss! Brilliantly put together by a master. I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere. Overall, I rate this book a five out office stars.
Danielle Urban
AAMBC Reviewer
Baby You're the Best is a tale of a going to be fifty year old woman who is bedding a younger man to pleasure her in bed. She has everything in life and is successful, plus she has four beautiful daughters. Then there's one of her daughters who has fallen into the same path as her mom, with multiple bed partners of which none so far have been successful in pleasuring her in bed. So, Alexis Crystal goes after her mother's bed partner. Alexis dosen't care. But what she does care is that one her birth certificate and on each of her other three sisters the father is unlisted. This really bothers Alexis. What child doesn't want to at least know who her father is? This is one romance story that readers won't want to miss! Brilliantly put together by a master. I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere. Overall, I rate this book a five out office stars.
Danielle Urban
AAMBC Reviewer
July 7, 2020
I must say that this book started off slow for me. But got better as I read. If it wasn’t for the slow start, I would have given this one a 5-star review, but instead I will give it a solid 4-star. This book dealt with trust, deceit, a desire for love and being wanted, lust, abuse (physical and sexual), and six degrees of separation…which is what made this book so interesting as it closed out. Had me like whoa! The book was written from the perspective of 3 characters. A woman named Blake, who’s turning 50, her daughter Alexis, and a young man, Spencer, that is around the same age of her daughter. Secondary characters such as Blake’s 3 other daughters, Blake’s soon to be ex-boyfriend, Alexis’ soon to be fiancé, Alexis’ female love interest, Spencer’s homeboy, and Spencer’s soon to be ex-girlfriend all play vital roles in how this story goes and the relationships that go on between Blake, Alexis, and Spencer. The three main characters all had you have moments of being happy for them, being angry with them, and feeling like what the hell are you doing. Blake made poor choices and seemed desperate at times, all in her quest to find the love that she not only needed, but desired. Alexis was trifling and definitely had male tendencies at times, which kept her in control of her situations. And Spencer had good moments and then doggish moments. All three had moments in their past that dictated how they operated in the present. The ending is shocking in my opinion…in a good way. This was my first read from this author and I can honestly say that I was pleased. I will definitely read more of her work. As it pertains to this book…I definitely recommend it. Good read!
May 22, 2018
Baby, You're the Best The plot would have been a good one, however, there were too many distractions and subplots that take away from the main plot which deals primarily with mommy and daddy issues (translation: promiscuity and reckless behavior blamed on the opposite sex). There were several side stories that were also lacking development and seemed out of place as they were not integral to the overall novel. For example, Blake’s old boyfriend resurfaced and he had something to tell her. Flash forward and her daughter, Sandara, pretended that he’s the father of her children to scare her sisters and then that’s the end of that story. It added nothing and it was another pointless distraction. The explicit sex scenes did not add anything to the novel, either as the main plot could have been developed without them. There were pages of sexual encounters that ultimately lead to nowhere. Frankly, I was glad when it was over.
The only reason that I kept reading this book is because I wanted to know who Alexis’s dad was. I made no connection to the characters as they were so cliché. Here’s a description of the sexy, gun toting, feisty, bi sexual Atlantian, Alexis: “I was eye candy. Five – five, a size six, had hazel eyes that sometimes turned green. [..] long, thick, wavy, black, natural hair, full lips, and dark, radiant complexion.”
I also felt that the author did a lot of telling and not enough showing, when it came to larger issues. “ My father, whoever the f**k he was, was the first male disappointment in my life. […] Before I had a first boyfriend, my heart was already shattered into pieces by my dad. […]My way of coping with my daddy issues was to not allow any man to penetrate my heart or disrespect me.” This issue was constantly brought up and became rather repetitive and redundant. Although this novel skimmed a lot of issues (molestation, promiscuity), their purpose in the novel was stagnant and underdeveloped.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get past the stock characters and distractions in the plot and dialogue. I would like to see the author move beyond the explicit sex scenes and cookie cutter dialogue in order to engage the reader. She touched on several sensitive issues that could have been explored more realistically and more in depth.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to review this book.
The only reason that I kept reading this book is because I wanted to know who Alexis’s dad was. I made no connection to the characters as they were so cliché. Here’s a description of the sexy, gun toting, feisty, bi sexual Atlantian, Alexis: “I was eye candy. Five – five, a size six, had hazel eyes that sometimes turned green. [..] long, thick, wavy, black, natural hair, full lips, and dark, radiant complexion.”
I also felt that the author did a lot of telling and not enough showing, when it came to larger issues. “ My father, whoever the f**k he was, was the first male disappointment in my life. […] Before I had a first boyfriend, my heart was already shattered into pieces by my dad. […]My way of coping with my daddy issues was to not allow any man to penetrate my heart or disrespect me.” This issue was constantly brought up and became rather repetitive and redundant. Although this novel skimmed a lot of issues (molestation, promiscuity), their purpose in the novel was stagnant and underdeveloped.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get past the stock characters and distractions in the plot and dialogue. I would like to see the author move beyond the explicit sex scenes and cookie cutter dialogue in order to engage the reader. She touched on several sensitive issues that could have been explored more realistically and more in depth.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to review this book.
May 21, 2015
Whew!!!! So this is some "50 Shades of Grey" has "Flowers in the Attic" for "The Young and the Restless" type stuff!!! WOW!!!! Talk about six degrees of separation!!! This is the type of drama you avoid at all cost in life, but secretly crave, so you read about it! LOL I had several "This is too much" "I can't" moments while reading. The plot!! The twist!!! Just WOW!!!!
The characters and situations are all very realistic, although you really don't want to believe that situations like are this are possible. I love the contrast of characteristics between Blake and Alexis, although mother and daughter, they are complete opposites when it comes to love...or are they?
I'm not really big on Contemporary Urban Fiction, but Mary B. Morrison did her thing with this one! This is definitely a series I will be keeping up with.
The characters and situations are all very realistic, although you really don't want to believe that situations like are this are possible. I love the contrast of characteristics between Blake and Alexis, although mother and daughter, they are complete opposites when it comes to love...or are they?
I'm not really big on Contemporary Urban Fiction, but Mary B. Morrison did her thing with this one! This is definitely a series I will be keeping up with.
April 27, 2016
Also check out my thoughts in this BookTube video: https://youtu.be/wSpSqwGVOII
My reading preferences have matured a lot since I first started reading Mary B. Morrison's books. She is still one of the best in African American Adult literature. It's just that I want something deeper. I keep these types of books around for times when I have read a lot of heavy stuff and just need to unwind with some good ol' fashion drama.
While reading this book I kept thinking there is no way grown women are this ignorant!
This is the 1st in the Crystal Series. This book follows Blake Crystal and her four daughters (Devereaux, Mercedes, Alexis, & Sandra). They all have MAJOR issues, but this book mainly focuses in on Blake & Alexis. As this is book 1, I am sure we will get to know all of the daughters eventually.
I will always be in love with Morrison's Soulmates Dissipate! I will probably continue to follow this series. Every now and then it is fun to have a mindless read, full of drama & sex.
My reading preferences have matured a lot since I first started reading Mary B. Morrison's books. She is still one of the best in African American Adult literature. It's just that I want something deeper. I keep these types of books around for times when I have read a lot of heavy stuff and just need to unwind with some good ol' fashion drama.
While reading this book I kept thinking there is no way grown women are this ignorant!
This is the 1st in the Crystal Series. This book follows Blake Crystal and her four daughters (Devereaux, Mercedes, Alexis, & Sandra). They all have MAJOR issues, but this book mainly focuses in on Blake & Alexis. As this is book 1, I am sure we will get to know all of the daughters eventually.
I will always be in love with Morrison's Soulmates Dissipate! I will probably continue to follow this series. Every now and then it is fun to have a mindless read, full of drama & sex.
March 2, 2021
Oh Man!!!👏🏾🔥👏🏾🔥👏🏾🔥👏🏾🔥👏🏾🔥
This book was over the top and all kinda stank, AND I LOVED IT!!! The antics of a mother and her four grown daughters, especially Alexis, will shock the hell outta you, but you will be oh soooooo entertained!!! Whew!!!😁😁😁
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
This book was over the top and all kinda stank, AND I LOVED IT!!! The antics of a mother and her four grown daughters, especially Alexis, will shock the hell outta you, but you will be oh soooooo entertained!!! Whew!!!😁😁😁
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
May 1, 2015
I really loved reading the book. It had it up and down with mother and daughter relationship. While reading this book the mother is like a typical woman that needs to be loved by a man. While her daughter is bi-sexual and do not want to admit it. Also the daughter is looking for love and acceptance from both of her lovers; due to the lack of not knowing her father. I really cannot wait for the 2nd book. The end of the book was a real cliff hanger. I cannot wait to see what happen to mother & daughter, lovers.
I definitely would recommend this book.
I definitely would recommend this book.
May 7, 2016
Hot, Intriguing, Heartfelt, Surprises & Unexpected Twists! An Exciting Read! I Loved It!
December 8, 2018
Great read!
June 7, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher Kensington Books for an honest review.
Blake Crystal has 4 daughters, just turned 50 years old, has her finances together, was ending one relationship and started a new one with a younger man. Her relationship with her married ex Fortune was boring, financially draining & she was ready to put him behind her. While meeting her daughter's for food & drinks she meets Spencer a sexy but younger bartender. Though her daughter Alexis already has a boyfriend and a girlfriend she thinks Spencer is sexy as well & decides that he's too young for her mother but the perfect age for herself. She openly flirts with him.
The relationships Blake juggle through the book within her personal and private life keep you turning the pages! Her daughters each have issues separate from each other & together as family issues.
I'm wondering where the next book will pickup from & what drama it will include. Mary Morrison did a great job including me in the Crystal families life.
Blake Crystal has 4 daughters, just turned 50 years old, has her finances together, was ending one relationship and started a new one with a younger man. Her relationship with her married ex Fortune was boring, financially draining & she was ready to put him behind her. While meeting her daughter's for food & drinks she meets Spencer a sexy but younger bartender. Though her daughter Alexis already has a boyfriend and a girlfriend she thinks Spencer is sexy as well & decides that he's too young for her mother but the perfect age for herself. She openly flirts with him.
The relationships Blake juggle through the book within her personal and private life keep you turning the pages! Her daughters each have issues separate from each other & together as family issues.
I'm wondering where the next book will pickup from & what drama it will include. Mary Morrison did a great job including me in the Crystal families life.
November 23, 2015
2.5/3 stars......This was my least favorite read by this author. the characters were predictable. The only surprise was at the very end. the author had multiple storylines going which made me confused because there was never a true plot to the story.
September 12, 2016
This was one of the best books I've read this year, The Crystals are a Mess!! This book will leave you literally with your mouth wide open shaking your head, I didn't want it to end. Great Read.
Blake Crystal just turned fifty and she is embracing life in a new light.
Alexis Crystal is single and ready to mingle with anyone that has a pulse, long as you do what she wants.
Devereaux Crystal is in a relationship with her long time boyfriend, she wants more but is settling.
Mercedes Crystal is responsible and married with a daughter.
Sandara Crystal is a single mother with four kids by four different men.
This book has drama on every page, a must read!!
I recommend this book to everyone that loves a good read.
Blake Crystal just turned fifty and she is embracing life in a new light.
Alexis Crystal is single and ready to mingle with anyone that has a pulse, long as you do what she wants.
Devereaux Crystal is in a relationship with her long time boyfriend, she wants more but is settling.
Mercedes Crystal is responsible and married with a daughter.
Sandara Crystal is a single mother with four kids by four different men.
This book has drama on every page, a must read!!
I recommend this book to everyone that loves a good read.
October 4, 2015
Mary B. Morrison has done it again!!! Baby, You're the Best starts off with a bang and keeps it coming. The author introduces Blake, Spencer, Alexis and more supporting characters. Blake is celebrating her 50th birthday and she has so much going for herself. Her daughter Alexis is something else and that's putting it lightly.. This book has several hottttt sex scenes. .This story is the start to a new series and got this reader hooked and ready for the next book. Definitely recommend this to others.
*received copy from publisher on Netgalley.com
*received copy from publisher on Netgalley.com
August 8, 2015
This book went from not grabbing me, to having my full attention and back again. I don't know what it was but some parts just fell flat to me but the ending was pretty good, a little abrupt cliff hanging moment but it did leave me wanting to hear what's next. I did listen to this book so take my review with a grain of salt, so to speak. I'll still continue to read Ms. Morrison's work. If you enjoy messy family drama then you may enjoy this story.
December 14, 2015
All I can say is "WOW"! I read this book in one day. Drama, Drama, Drama. But oh so good. I can't wait for the second book in the series. In the words of Brandon, "I died twice and came back."
July 3, 2016
This was a wild, crazy and confused family
June 15, 2017
I am a huge fan of Mary B Morrison....but this one...not so much sadly. The story jumped a lot and the grammatical errors are not something that I would expect from this author. She is better then this book. The references to Love and Hip Hop ATL (love the show for my weekly dose of ratchetness) was overly done. The storyline itself just didn't do it for me. I mean is it all of a sudden ok to be just swapping partners within the family???? There were too many storylines that started and abruptly ended or at least weren't finished so hopefully they will be in the next installments. It was all just too much...but honestly might have worked if there was some kind of flow to the story. Instead I was left confused as to who's storyline I was reading about now. Cliffhanger at the end was probably the best part and will be the ONLY reason I read another in this series.
February 7, 2018
This damn book was slow in the beginning for me. Really had a hard time trying to concentrate. This is the most craziest damn book I have read with so much going on at a time. Mother with 4 daughter who all have daddy and husband issues as well as their 50 yr old mother still trying to be young and wanting to sleep with a younger man. If any of them is looking for love they could not find it at the rate any of them were going. And the baby of them all Alexis was straight up ruthless. She did not care who she hurt or who got hurt and that even included her own mother. Hell if I was looking for love from a man now I don't even want it. If I had to go at things the way these ladies were I'd rather be by my damn self. That ending done got me wondering what will happen now since Alexis meets her father as well as Spencer's father.
September 29, 2020
The best book in the series. Hated how stupid a woman can be to take care of a man for years. A married man at that. Blake has low self esteem to accept that. The fact that Alexis was in competition with her mother over a man was crazy. They both slept with him. Told lies. Then come to find out Alexis slept with her half brother was a mess! Then she might be pregnant with her brother’s baby! Wow!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
Spoiler alert: This book had way too much anal talk for me. There was alot of things that discusted me in the book like, the bichop being a pedifile, mother and daughters sleeping with tthe same man, the lies, I can keep going. Anyway I predicted the ending but now that it's happened I have to know what happens. That damn Alexis...smh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
This is the first book in the Crystal series....hunni....you want a good, steamy read with drama and back stabbing, this is the book. Its a classy read with just enough ratchet to keep you wanting to read more. I cant wait to get Book #2
July 2, 2018
All I can say is drama to the highest. The Crystal family will keep you on your toes. Blake and Alexis relationship is toxic because Alexis don't care who she hurt but karma it's coming and she deserve everything that happens.
March 23, 2019
Excellent detailed storyline with character development that will make you forget that this is a work of fiction. I enjoyed and recommend this five star read. Looking forward to reading part 2 and more from this author.
April 1, 2020
Needed More Content
This book was a little hard to follow and more about sex in some aspects. I will say the ending grabbed my attention enough to want to know what happens next in the series though. The author’s form of writing is a little much for me at times.
This book was a little hard to follow and more about sex in some aspects. I will say the ending grabbed my attention enough to want to know what happens next in the series though. The author’s form of writing is a little much for me at times.
March 9, 2026
This was a very weird book, so much so that I couldn’t finish it. So many over the top issues with each character. It’s hard to keep up with the plot. If I could give this a negative star rating, I would.
August 25, 2017
These women are dangerous! Very addictive read. On to Book 2.
May 10, 2018
Book 1 in the Crystal series. I read part 2 first. Great book. Loved it!!
August 3, 2018
Big fan of Mary B. Morrison's books this one was different. It made me sad to think that women act like this, yet I had a hard time putting it down. Anxious to start reading the next installment...
August 8, 2018
Damn!!
It's been a long time that I have started and finished a book in one day but this story is a page turner. I am now on to the next. Great read!
It's been a long time that I have started and finished a book in one day but this story is a page turner. I am now on to the next. Great read!
August 24, 2018
Page turner
This book was a good read. Characters were great a good story line. Looking for part 'll it just can't leave you hanging.
This book was a good read. Characters were great a good story line. Looking for part 'll it just can't leave you hanging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews