Don't Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross is book 2 in the Stay a Spell Series. This is the story of Devraj Kumar and Isadora Savoie. I have read the previous book which did add to my enjoyment of this one. But, I do think you could make it a standalone book if you wish to do so. Devraj is a vampire who has seen and felt it all in his hundred of years. But when he meets the shy witch Isadora he starts to have new feelings and wants. They have been brought together to work on a mystery which is bring them closer and closer together. I am such a fan of this author's writing and always would recommend her book and of course this series.

I have had my eye on this beauty; ever since I read the first book – Wolf Gone Wild (Read My Review) –but i have been all the more excited ever since I found out the main lead in this second instalment in the series all about witches, vampires, warewolves and magic would be an Indian Bollywood star; I swear to everything I find holy; I figuratively stalked the author until she very kindly approved my request on Netgalley for an early copy!
And I just couldn’t resist diving into the book straightaway.

I swooned, adored and absolutely fell in love with not only, Devraj; the hunky, brooding Bollywood Star and a Vampire of an ancient Stygorn race but also the woman, who enchanted and enamoured him, right from the moment he hit her bicycle with his sports car – Isadora, a witch with immense power and an affinity for flowers and a love for all cuddly dogs.

The chemistry between Devraj and Isadora had me all hot and bothered – trust me, with always being used to reading only white men in romances, it was such a phenomenon reading about an Indian man as a romance hero – it had me giggling like crazy happy loon, enough so that my husband had to ask exactly what or rather who I was reading to have me so happy.

And Devraj did make me happy; not just because he was an authentic representation; but there were food items and cities mentioned + the act of tying Mangalsutra around the bride’s neck *chef’s kiss* - all the things that I know and recognized and it’s been one of the few times that has happened; and the first in a romance novel; at least for me.

Yes, I do wish that there were a little more mention s of the Indian traditions and culture – but the fact that an author has took the time to understand a different culture and took the help of sensitivity readers – is commendable.

As for the book itself, you know you have a winner when – it’s hilarious; and opposites attract, slow burn romance, with a mystery of young woman going missing + a whole slew of characters, who pique your curiosity and have you thirsting for the new book already!

Such a good follow up to the first book of the series! There's more external mystery, which was fun, but still the same magic and chemistry that we expect from this series!

Okay so I loved this book! Love Love Loved it!!!
Isadora is everything I love in a heroine. She's so very sweet, introverted and just adorable. Putting her with Vampire Devraj (ex Bollywood dancer - I mean come one!!!) made me smile so hard. I was a very happy reader. It's witty, it's hilarious, it's PNR at its best. If you enjoy your stories with humour and smarts then this is for you!

Devraj is a special kind of vampire so he gets called in to help on cases involving vampires from time to time. He's in Isadora's town for one such case and because Isadora is a witch she is also pulled in to help.

Isadora and her sisters are witches, each with their own gifts. Isadora is shy and doesn't date much. But she has a huge heart and is a really likable person.

When Isadora is riding her bike back home and gets hit by a car, it's Devraj that hits her and feels really bad about it. He tries to help her since she injured her foot but she isn't having any of it until he calls someone she knows and he tells her that Devraj is a good guy and she can trust him to get her home safely. Not exactly the best first impression he could have made but is sure was an interesting one.

Devraj is a Bollywood dancer/actor as well a special kind of vampire. He's sexy, gorgeous and wealthy. But Isadora also thinks he's full of himself and stuck up because of his fancy suits, expensive car and lavish lifestyle, while she would rather be planting flowers, herbs and tending to her garden. The fact she's immune to his vampire charm makes her even more desirable and interesting to Devraj since he doesn't usually have to work so hard to get a woman to like him.

As these two are thrown together time and time again because of a case involving missing girls, they get to know each other more and they can't deny they are attracted to one another. When they finally do give into their attraction, these two light up the pages. I loved Devraj, he can be fun, loving, and tender but he can be a lethal monster when he has to be. I loved the romance but the missing girls storyline really had me on the edge of my seat as it unfolded. I loved the first book in this series and think that this second book was just as great.

Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A highly entertaining and engrossing story that kept me hooked.
Excellent world building and character development, a lot of humour and a great romance.
I can't wait to read another book by this author, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Don't Hex and Drive, was totally unexpected, but totally worth it!!

I don't read paranormal or even fantasy, if I ever pick a book with those two elements is because the book seems really amazing or worth it and this was exactly the case...

Don't Hex and Drive is one of those stories that no matter if you're into or not into paranormal, it will blow your mind into space. This book has every element you need to keep yourself glued to your chair and continuously wanting to scream to everybody around you to shut up so you can continue reading this amazing story.

Isadora was an amazing heroine, she was smart and kind she was beautiful even if she didn't know it, her life and her sisters were full of magic, magic that will bring soon someone who will change her life forever even if that means getting hit by a car.

Devraj Kumar a Stygorn with many years of experience, has everything, the power, the looks the fame people often confuse all these external threats for arrogance but Isadora knows deep in her heart that there is more to get to know than what Devraj Kumar let anybody see.

Devraj and Isadora chemistry was off the charts and I don't mean that in a figurative way, their scenes together were just fire, I didn't expect that passion and it was just melting. I love these two. they made me laugh, they made me scream but mostly they really made me smile and swoon.

Favorite scene, the one with the vibrator LOL completely epic!!! love that part, it was totally unexpected.

The secondary characters especially, Isadora sisters were amazing, they really added so much to the story and even the main characters, each one has a special treat that will make you eager to know more about them and eventually I believe we will get that in the next books of this amazing series.

Don't Hex and Drive has love, friendship, passion, and a lot of fighting, and when I say fighting I mean fighting for the things you love, want, and need fighting for those who are really worth fighting for.

Overall I really enjoy this book I can actually say that I haven't enjoyed a book in maybe like two months or so this one really made me want to keep reading more and more.

The second book in the Stay A Spell series does not disappoint! This series is unique in the genre; most paranormal or supernatural romances feel the need to be "dark" to keep readers interested. This series, however, is all of the fun of a rom-com, plus vampires, witches, werewolves--oh my! After enjoying the first book in the series, I was very excited for Don't Hex and Drive, and now it's my new favorite. Don't Hex and Drive was a delightful read that I was able to finish in one day. Though it is the second in a series, I feel that it would stand alone well too; the author gives enough background about the world and the characters for it to be completely readable even if you haven't read Wolf Gone Wild. Additionally, this was the sexier of the two books in the Stay A Spell series. Devraj and Isadora's chemistry was off-the-charts hot and so much fun to read. Overall, this book was fun, though I did feel that the prose itself was occasionally flawed (not much depth, occasional cheesy dialogue). However, it was better than the first book in the series, and it was readable despite that.

I love this series and I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put the book down!

This book is about Isadora, the quiet, loner sister. She's got powers, but they aren't as flashy as her sisters. Instead, she likes to help people (or dogs) in a sneakier way. All of that gets thrown up in the air when she gets hit while riding her bicycle home. A vampire, Devraj, apologizes profusely, but Isadora has already made up her mind. The stubborn challenge is all Devraj needs to make him practically obsess over Isadora.

All isn't just sexy fun and games (but don't worry, there's plenty of that!), and there is some crime they need to solve as part of Devraj's local assignment. There is *a lot* of assuming and avoiding between these two, but one thing they agree on is that they need to put an end to this kidnapping ring. Somehow they are able to overcome their own insecurities and come together to both solve the mystery and give themselves a wonderful HEA. I hope these books keep ramping up as they go along, because I'm already hooked!

And here I thought that Mateo from Wolf Gone Wild (book 1 in this series) had my heart.. BUT.. I just hadn’t met Devraj who is just something else. You all are NOT ready for this man who almost made me want to fly to India during a pandemic. I swear to you, the second you start Don’t Hex and Drive you’ll be HOOKED.

I really cannot explain my utter adoration for the Stay A Spell Series and having just finished book 2, says a whole lot about the writing of this author. She weaves a paranormal romance like no other I swear.. these books have it all; the romance, the comedic aspect, sister witches galore and men who are just too good to be true.

Don’t Hex and Drive tells the story of our shy and introverted Isadora whose love of gardening and cute furry dogs rivals her dislike of people. (Which honestly just made me love her more cause, how relatable is that??) What Isadora never counted on was getting run over by a hot warrior vampire on his flashy sports car. What didn’t help matters was that he was a famous Bollywood actor who just so happened to be staying right next door to Isadora and her sisters to aid in a case of missing human girls. Isadora with her hate of socializing was immediately put off by the showy hot guy cause I mean.. just how DARE he do yoga shirtless?? Such bad neighboring right there.

But one thing leads to another and Isadora comes to the realization that Devraj may be all she’s been looking for in life. With the answers to the case getting nearer and nearer though both characters have to make the tough decision of just what they are going to do about their feelings for each other.

My words so so do not so justice to this amazing book. If there is one series I’d recommend in a heartbeat it would be this one so go pick both of these books up and suffer with me as I await book three!

4.25 stars-- DON’T HEX AND DRIVE is the second instalment in Juliette Cross’ contemporary, adult STAY A SPELL paranormal, romance series. This is witch Isadora Savoie, and vampire/Stygorn Devraj Kumar’s story line. DON’T HEX AND DRIVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Devraj and Isadora) DON’T HEX AND DRIVE follows the building relationship and romance between witch Isadora Savoie, and vampire/Stygorn Devraj Kumar. Devray Kumar is a vampire with special abilities, hired to uncover the person(s) responsible for a series of abductions and missing girls, potentially linked to a blood trafficking ring but literally running into his neighbor Isadora Savoie found Devray wanting something more from the witch, something he hasn’t thought about for a very long time. Isadora Savoie is a Conduit with the ability to heal herself and others but when Devray Kumar runs her over, Isadora takes an immediate dislike to our story line hero, a dislike based on first impressions and Bollywood good looks and ego to match. When the Ruben Dubois, the vampire overlord of New Orleans calls Devray for help, all bets are off, as Devray and Isadora work together, to take down the ring of potential vampire blood letters. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Devray and Isadora, and the potential fall-out as Devray’s time in New Orleans comes to a close, and Isadora’s struggles with issues of control.

Isadora Savoie is a powerful witch but struggles to ‘people’ and socialize in a world of social animals. Preferring to work in her garden or volunteer at the animal shelter, Isadora battles between head and heart when Devray makes her an offer, she cannot refuse. Devray Kumar suspects Isadora is his mate but our heroine refuses to give into her heart preferring to remain distant and aloof but when Devray offers a friends with benefits relationship, Isadora finds herself falling for a man who is about to break her heart.

The relationship between Devray and Isadora begins as an accidental meeting whereupon Isadora takes an immediate disliking to Devray Kumar. Believing our hero to be nothing more than a rich, stuck up albeit powerful vampire, Isadora battles her attraction but in the end, finds herself in love with a man who may not be willing to settle down. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of supernatural, magical and colorful secondary and supporting characters including Isadora’s sisters Evie and Mateo (Wolf Gone Wild #1), Jules, Clara, Livvy, Violet and their cousin Tia; Mateo’s cousin Nico; grim reaper Henry Blackwater, and ancient vampire and New Orleans’ overlord Ruben Dubois. The requisite evil has many faces.

DON’T HEX AND DRIVE is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of betrayal and power, manipulation and blood. The premise is enchanting and imaginative ; the romance is sexy and spicy; the characters are flirty, spirited and sassy. DON’T HEX AND DRIVE is an energetic and sensual tale.


THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/dont-hex-and-drive-by-juliette-cross-dual-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3525435457


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B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

4+ Stars

I had the best of times reading Don’t Hex and Drive! As unlikely the introvert gardener witch and the hot AF Bollywood superstar vampire seemed to be as a couple… they worked really well *wink*

Isadora is one of the Savoie sisters we didn’t get to meet in Wolf Gone Wild. I instantly felt a kinship with her and her people-I-don’t-know-are-exhausting view on the world. Happier to spend her time with plants and animals (soul-sister!) she had the biggest, softest of hearts… she just really didn’t like talking about it with people. She was funny and could throw some sass, but her quiet strength was the cherry on top (yes, it’s clear I have a girl-crush).

Devraj at first seemed the complete opposite of Isadora. He was flirty, flashy and charming, and there was not one shy bone in the guy’s gorgeous body. If there was something to be done on this earth he gave it a go, but even an elite warrior who could get everything he wanted could get lonely after centuries. From the very first encounter he had with Isadora, he’s intrigued, and the more time he spent with her, the more he realized she might be exactly what he had been missing all this time.

I loved so many things about this story! Ms. Cross’s take on vampires and the supernatural world is exciting and fresh.. I mean, I’m pretty sure Devraj is my first vegetarian vampire! There’s suspense and a bit of action, sexy hot shenanigans and two very different individuals trying to fight the feelings they awake in each other.

Don’t Hex and Drive is a fabulous follow up in the Stay a Spell series and I can’t wait to read what comes next!!!

I just loved this book and could not put it down! In this opposites attract romance, Don’t Hex and Drive had wonderful characters, an intriguing mystery, and a fabulous story line that brings the Stay a Spell world to life!

From the very first scene of the book I knew I was going to be in for a wonderful read, and Juliette Cross delivered just that. Isadora is an introvert by nature, but that doesn’t mean she’s a pushover. She knows what she wants and is upfront about what she needs. Devraj has lived a long life and is used to being in the limelight. Where some might say he’s demanding, I think he just knows what he wants and he isn’t afraid to go after it. And of course, he has his sights set on Isadora, which means we were treated to a fun story as Devraj tries to make Isadora his own. She sees no future with Devraj, since his job normally takes him all over and she can’t see herself ever leaving her sisters in NOLA; he sees his future with Isadora, and thinks that what he has been searching for lately may just be putting down roots, something he sees himself doing with Isadora. These two had chemistry that burned up the sheets – or would burn up the sheets if they could ever make it to a bed – but for two people who were pretty straight-forward with what they wanted, they could have used a little help in the communication department!

I enjoyed the mystery that took place that brought Devraj to town. I loved having Isadora play a part in things and the fact that Devraj never doubted her ability to play her role. It was also fun getting to see Ruben and Jules dance around each other and I loved getting to find out just a little bit more about what may be a past between these two.

The Savoie Sisters are all wonderful and I love the family they have built around them. Each sister brings something different to the table and it’s always fun when they get together and poke at each other as families do. There is no shortage of supernatural beings in this world, and I love the lore that the author has created for all of them and the world itself. From witches, to vampires, to werewolves, ghosts, and grims, you never know who is going to show up on the page and what kind of character they are going to be.

Juliette Cross has a way with words that makes them easy to read and was a wonderful balance between romance, suspense, and family drama, coming together perfectly to tell Isadora and Devraj’s story. I also love how she is setting up the next books in the series by dropping little scenes for some of the other sisters.

This was a light paranormal romance that should be enjoyed buy just about anyone!

I didn't love this one as much as the first (I miss Alpha!) but it was still a lot of fun and I'll definitely keep reading about these brilliant witchy sisters. These books are just so different to a lot of other paranormals out there, there's so much genuinely funny and entertaining about this series, they're such addictive reading.

I'll admit I didn't hit it off Isadora straight away. Mainly because I drive home at nights when it's very dark and there are cyclists who don't wear high-vis or lights which makes it very hard to see them and it drives me mental. So to know she wasn't wearing anything and the fact that she wasn't even the slightest bit sorry and just blamed Devraj, it hit a sore spot for me haha.

I warmed up to her pretty quickly though. I honestly empathised a lot with her shyness and her social awkwardness, it was lovely to see her growing in confidence and speaking out more throughout the book.

And Devraj was such a different kind of a vampire. He's bored, he's 300 hundred years and he's just been there, done that with everything. When he meets Isadora he's pretty much immediately taken in by her (not to mention pretty guilty about hitting her with his car!) and the way he chases after her was just so heart-warming. The way he talks to her is so sweet and loving, and Isadora truly gains confidence in herself through her interactions with him. The two of them share an instant connection and their chemistry together is HOT HOT HOT! I loved their banter and omygosh the sex is sublime.

One of the things I'm loving most about this series is the relationship between the sisters. I adore sisters in books, possibly because I have two of my own and the way Juliette Cross writes them is perfect. Plus, they're witches! How can you go wrong with witchy sisters?? The little tidbits we get of the sisters and their future partners were so tantalising. I absolutely cannot wait for Jules' book!

Absolutely blummin’ loved it ! I cannot believe I loved this even more than Wolf gone Wild. I am in love with Devraj and just, there are no words for how much he is the best, Isadora is so lovely and Juliette just writes the best characters. The writing is fantastic, the plot is just addictive , this book is full of romance, humour and witches, vampires, the best recipe for a fantastic read. I can’t wait for the next book I get I’ll love it even more


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Don’t Hex and Drive is the second book in the Stay A Spell series centered on a witch family in the center of the New Orleans paranormal community. Each story is about a new family member and love interest. As such they standalone and can be read on their own, or in order in the series, without many spoilers.

Isadora is the shy and timid sister of the bunch. She does best with people she knows well and dogs but feels very uncomfortable as the center of attention. Her magic is of a healing nature and so spending time doing the books for the family businesses and growing things in the greenhouse is what she sticks to doing. But the new Vampire in town is about to push her out of all of her comfort zones, well actually knock her out is more appropriate since he is about to literally run into her.

On the outside, Devraj seems like he is the life of any party and that he likes to be in the lime light. But the truth is that he misses being truly close to anyone. He has been alive a long time and really longs for a feeling of being at home again. But Isadora, the girl who intrigues him more than anyone only sees the outward appearance; she is about to get a shock when she learns he has some inner depths to him and that he is a patient hunter who has her in his sights now.

This is a cute love story. Isadora and Devraj both didn’t expect to be thrown together but as the spend time together trying to find what has happened to a number of girls that have gone missing it is clear they have something strong together. Isadora can hold her own against the Vamp and he loves to see how much he can make her blush and how many boundaries he can push.

The only thing that is a little bit of a hang up for me was the Vampires. I don’t remember from the first book if it was discussed but Vampires in this world can still eat human food and are not harmed by the sun. So that took me a minute to process but overall, it isn’t a big deal and I had too much fun in the book with the romance and very steamy sex scenes to really care. When Isadora lets her hair down, she proves it's the quiet ones that sometimes are the most passionate.

I enjoyed both books of this series so far and look forward to more of the sisters finding connections. I'm also really interested in the Grims and what their purpose is in the supernatural world. Each new story opens up the world a little more and I'm interested to see a few of the possible connections that could be stories soon.

Don't Hex and Drive is the exciting 2nd book in Juliette Cross's Stay a Spell Series. Supernatural creatures are preying upon human females and Ruben, the Lord of Vampires needs to figure out who is responsible. To assist, Ruben calls upon friend and Sytgorn vampire, Devraj. Devraj has been looking for a change of pace so he jumps on the chance to come to the States and help Ruben find the missing girls.

The book focuses on Isadora, a witch with social anxiety and the fear of driving or riding in cars. After a disastrous encounter with a Stygorn vampire new to the area, Isadora can't stop thinking about him. Devraj is bound and determined to continue irritating her and she's finding it harder and harder to resist him. Keeping her grounded is assisting in the mysterious case of disappearing neighborhood girls.

I absolutely loved Don't Hex and Drive and devoured it in one setting. The meeting between Isadora and Devraj was unusual and somewhat shocking. How the situation was handled was cute and I enjoyed the sparks that flew between them. The author doesn't quickly toss them together, she makes Devrah work for Isadora's affections. The romance is super slow-burn but not at all stagnant or slow to the point the reader gives up on the potential couple.

I love Juliette Cross’s writing style and the way she tells stories. Her ability to create paranormal stories with romance, action and a solid plot is what keeps me coming back. I can't wait for the next book in the series - or any book from Juliette Cross.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Isadora, a Conduit witch, is sweet and shy. She loves to use her healing powers to help anyone that she can. She doesn't expect to be hit with a car while bicycling on her way home. Turns out that the person who ran into her is no one other than Stygorn vampire Devraj Kumar.

Where Isadora is sweet and shy, Devraj is the complete opposite. A Bollywood star and flashy vampire - he doesn't shy away from the limelight. Devraj is immediately intrigued by Isadora and she in turn wants nothing to do with him.

But these two must work together to solve a mysterious case in the supernatural world taking place right in New Orleans. The closer they work together the tighter the sexual tension between the two of them become.

I really enjoyed Don't Hex and Drive! The simmering sexual tension between Isadora and Devraj was palpable. Devraj was immediately smitten by Isadora, but still he wanted to get to know her better and I loved their friendship.

Isadora and Devraj were sweet and kind - both of them slowly peeling back each others layers and vulnerabilities. Both had their own fears, but the trust they had with one another was so sweet and pure. And the sexy scenes were HOT HOT HOT phew! Although I would classify Don't Hex and Drive as a slow burn, Juliette Cross knows how to bring the heat!

I find it hard sometimes to connect with Indian characters, being South Asian/Indian myself, but I feel that Juliette Cross did a wonderful job nailing down Devraj's character. And I truly enjoyed his backstory.

While reading both Don't Hex and Drive and Wolf Gone Wild (book 1 in Stay a Spell), in my mind both of these books played out like movies. They had the perfect suspense that tied with romance. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the Stay a Spell series!!

Another fantastic book in this series, I enjoyed this book from start to finish! The characters, banter and story development kept me hooked right from the first page.

I adored Wolf Gone Wild and was incredibly excited for this book. Don't Hex and Drive didn't quite live up to all that I loved about the first book, but was still a sexy and fun paranormal romance. This is likely a case of "it's not you, it's me" because I can see plenty of people really enjoying this book. Devraj is sexy as hell and the chemistry between Devraj and Isadora sparkles off the page. I love Isadora with her love of dogs and affinity to non human beings. Devraj is basically instantly smitten with her, with her resistance to his charms and how much she cares for other people. He's got a bit of that Alpha thing going for him that is popular in paranormals, though he thankfully stays on this side of the consent line. Both Devraj and Isadora have cool powers and I liked reading about the backstory on Devraj's specific powers.

I think I just personally didn't click with the story. I can't pin point anything specifically for me that would make me say "don't read this because." Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for Devraj's protective and possessive approach, even if he isn't controlling like alphas in other books. I also will admit that I haven't been as gun-ho about vampire books for a while. If I picked this up maybe 7 years ago, this would have been my catnip. (Sort of pun not intended) This book didn't have the same humorous banter than was in Wolf Gone Wild so it didn't have the same paranormal romcom feel. But I still adore the Savoie sisters and can't wait to read future books in the series. Cross has done a great job laying the ground for what I'm assuming are the next three books.