Okay well first off I just have to say I LOVED this book! As soon as I saw the title I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. The story is an enemies to lovers romance with a hint of action and whole lot of steam and I found myself flying through it, unable to put it down. I related so much to Isadora and her socially anxious ways, I was cheering for her and Devraj and I loved how their relationship never felt overly cliche. There are so many vampire romances out there but this one really stood out to be with the banter between the characters and how human they felt in their emotions despite both having power. I'm honestly going out now to get the other book in the series because I need more of the Savoie sisters in my life!!

Juliette Cross is my now official go to for paranormal romance, she can do no wrong in my eyes.
Y'all... The sexual tension in this book is fire! Devraj Kumar is on level of his own hotness. I usually never blush while reading the steamy parts of romance but, oh boy did I with this one. It is a little bit of a slow burn but then it ignites.
The mystery aspect of this was also great and learning more about Cross's paranormal world with witches, vampires, werewolves, and grims. Violet and Nico's book is next but it won't be out until summer 2021. I have a feeling Jules and Ruben's is going to be the last one and the suspense of me wanting their book is agonizing.

“Darling? Lover? What was he talking about? Wait. Was he flirting with me? What nerve.”
Juliette Cross is dialed into the sweet spot of Paranormal Romance. Don’t Hex and Drive, the second book in the Stay a Spell series, Juliette Cross perfectly combines all the elements of a fun, and un-put-downable contemporary paranormal romance story: sweetness, silliness, sexy heat, and some mystery.

Isadora is a character that you instantly like, and understand. She’s socially awkward, but once in her element and out of the spotlight she’s a force to be reckoned with. Isadora is a witch who cares about everyone around her person and animal alike…that is until she gets hit by a car driven by a hunky vampire.

Devraj Kumar is sent to New Orleans to help the supernatural community figure out a string of disappearances. Instead of hitting the ground running, he hits Isadora and his world is flipped. I loved seeing the mighty Stygorn hunter become a besotted fool in the face of Isadora. I think this is what makes this story so great. Isadora has strength, but it is inward and she rarely shows it. Devraj is known for his strength and yet is like a puppy dog when it comes to Isadora. Part of what makes this story so endearing is that you can understand why Isadora wants Devraj but has reservations. These reservations are also a huge part of the charm of Devraj, because for being a smart Stygorn hunter, Isadora leaves him scrambling to how to make her his own.

Getting to know a new couple and watch their journey unfold on the pages of Don’t Hex and Drive was addicting and I found myself both wanting to savor the words and devour them in one sitting. Talk about some cognitive dissonance but in the best way. Don’t Hex and Drive is fun, and full of steamy chemistry. If you think you don’t like Paranormal Romance, I challenge you to read this book, as well as the first book in the series—Wolf Gone Wild.

Don’t Hex and Drive will be available for to read on September 8th! Pre-order your copy now!

==> Find this review on LitBuzz August 27, 2020 https://www.thelitbuzz.com/2020/08/dont-hex-drive-juliette-cross/ ‎ <==

I was so lucky to get this book as I have read the first In this great series & was waiting for this one which did not disappoint.
From the first meeting where Devraj bumped into Isadora & the subsequent interaction between them this was a winner. They were just wonderful together especially with how prickly Isadora was towards the super confident Dev. He had to really work hard to get to know her & to gain her confidence.
There was a lot of verbal sparring & some really funny scenarios that had me laughing out loud.
I also was super excited to be back with all the witchy sisters who all have great personalities & clearly there are many more stories to come.

Blog name: storytellers by Marlou
Expected publication date: unknown. I'm currently on hiatus from blogging.

One of my most anticipated reads of this year and I got to read it early AAAAAAAAH!! Honestly, I loved it so much. Definitely had some small issues with it which I'll point out in this review, but it was still one of the best romances I've ever read.

Writing style: I am absolutely, 100%, completely trash for Juliette's writing. I just love it. It's whimsical but serious, simple fun but wildly passionate and I am obsessed. I wanted to savor this book so I only read a bit every day and I still flew through this book. Time flies when you're having fun 😉

Characters: I liked Evie and Mateo (the couple of the first book WOLF GONE WILD) a bit more, because I, myself, am more like Evie so I could really find myself in her story.
Isadora isn't a people person and girrrlll I feel that. I also love her boho clothes and I just want her wardrobe 😍👌🏼 The thing about Isadora is that sometimes she was a bit bland. It's mostly because she's timid, reserved, shy... But that did take away some of the pleasure of this story.
Now Devraj... He sure is an interesting specimen. He's a super powerful vampire and completely melts into a hopeless puddle when Isadora is around. She has him wrapped around her pinkie. I love me a good, solid, strong, love interest who let's the woman lead him, who listens when his love talks. Okay, I think Devraj might have turned me into a hopeless puddle 🤤

Story: I want to mention that I absolutely loved the overall story, but I do want to point out some minor issues with some points of the it. The romance was absolutely adorable and delicious and I have nothing bad to say about it. The extra story line dragged a bit for me.
<spoiler> So girls are being kidnapped by what they think is a group of vampires. The good guys request help from a powerful Stygorn vampire (Devraj). Dev falls hopelessly in love with Iz and obsesses over her and tries to win her heart. Then most of the book is all about Devraj wooing Isadora. And then at the last part of the story we get the continuation of the abductions and they find the person behind it all... </spoiler> I would have preferred if these plots were intertwined a bit better, because it felt a bit too separated for my liking.

I still absolutely adored this book and it's for sure one of the best romance novels I've ever read. I'm giving Don't Hex and Drive 4,5 stars.

This was such a fun read. I cannot WAIT for the 3rd book in the series to come out. It was the perfect mix of romance and mystery. The Savoie sisters have me hooked and I love the setting of New Orleans. Don't Hex and Drive focuses on Isadora, who we did not get much play in Wolf Gone Wild. A new character that was alluded to in Wolf Gone Wild becomes a main character and you will not want to put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review!

A witch and a vampire meet when his car hits her on her bicycle resulting in a wonderfully tension filled chase and smooch worthy chemistry...

Isadora was super sweet, quiet, and quite generous with her time and gifts even though she flies under the radar. Yet she wasn’t a pushover and could be really stubborn, giving Devraj an unintentionally difficult time as he pursued her.

Devraj was well-rounded and perfect book boyfriend material leaving me hard pressed to find something I didn’t like about him! (I came up with zilch) He’s thoughtful, cooks, chases bad guys, and has had a colorful career. And he falls sooooo HARD for Isadora!

I loved Devraj ridiculously so! He was a wonderful choice for Isadora, bringing her out of her self-imposed shell. Isadora also helped Devraj find what he had been wanting most in his life. Isadora’s sisters were just as wacky and fascinating as the first book in the series and I’m excited for the next couple!

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/the author and this is my honest review.

4⭐️.

Tropes: opposites attract

Q: what’s a fave vampire book of yours?

The ARC of Juliette Cross’s Don’t Hex and Drive arrived on my Kindle at the perfect time. The *only* problem is that I started reading it at 9 pm AND THEN I JUST COULDN’T STOP until it was 1 am and I remembered I have small kids who enjoy power games (aka waking me up whenever they want).

The chemistry between leads in this PNR is unreal & one of my fave dynamics is at play: the hero’s used to people tripping over themselves to please him & the heroine gives a big, fat Hell No & then goes about her day.

In this book the hero, a vampire & Bollywood actor named Devraj Kumar, literally hits the witch & healer heroine Isadora Savoie with his car. Despite his best efforts to win her over afterwards, she’s not interested.

But the attraction’s immediate & substantial on Dev’s part, despite the fact that as a Stygorn, a supernatural tracker of sorts, he’ll be leaving New Orleans soon. Isadora just does it for him—even when she barely gives him the time of day— which brings me to another layer of that catnip of mine & which I think I’ve seen illustrated on Twitter or somewhere recently: a hero who is captivated by the heroine over and over again & you can tell his wheels must be spinning because THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. He’s never felt this way. When I encounter this in a romance I’m reminded of a cartoon figure with with stars over his head...after he’s been hit by a large object 🤣.

Plot-wise there are a couple of directions the book goes in that I question. But I told you about the satisfying dynamics going on, the chemistry, and now I’ll say that the steam is super satisfying. In a major way. Brava! And I love the rep of a socially awkward heroine.

Don’t Hex and Drive is a delightful, sexy beast of a book that I (mostly happily) lost sleep over.
​

CW:
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.
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Kidnapped human women who are used & abused for their blood.

Don't Hex and Drive is out on 09/08. Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

This book was everything I needed during this time. I throughly enjoyed the Devraj and Isadora and their journey. I just want to read everything that Juliette Cross writes and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Don’t Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross, Author

#Review
#ComingSeptember

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘“I was going to ask you” - he scraped his sharpened canines along my shoulder, pulling aside the strap of my sleeveless dress- “if you wanted me to f*** you hard or nice and slow.” Another scrape of his sharp teeth then a soothing sweep of his tongue. “But I’ve figured out what you need.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, shocked to hear myself panting in his quiet kitchen. “What do I need?”

He stilled with his mouth above my collarbone, tracing the delicate line with his tongue, the smooth piercing a tantalizing caress.

“Everything,” he whispered against my skin. “And I’m going to give it to you.”’

Right now, writer Juliette Cross is my go-to author for all things supernatural romance. In all of her books she manages to incorporate a heavy dose of humour, an incredible array of multifaceted, exciting and endearing characters, plus offer up readers a plot blessed with intelligence, wit, passion, action, magic and mischief, not to mention her scintillating, hilarious and oftentimes scorching hot dialogue. In her latest story ‘Don’t Hex and Drive’ Juliette Cross has managed to include, elevate and expand upon all of these ingredients, dishing up a scintillating supernatural romance that is this remarkably heady and thrilling kaleidoscope of various cultures, personalities and worlds. The magical elements are utterly magnificent. The romance and sex are a spine-tingling, sweaty, thigh-clenching, heart-stopping extravaganza. And the cast of characters are simply beguiling - our hero Devraj and heroine Isadora in particular.



There is this wonderful balance between promoting the supernatural elements of the story, fleshing out the intricate and fascinating details within the different sections of the paranormal world and garnering a spectacular display of romance throughout. It was a slow-burn romance of sorts but the chemistry and push and pull of Devraj and Isadora is a work of pure magic all on its own.

Devraj is probably one of the most subtly sexy heroes I’ve ever had the pleasure of falling in love with. He is so very sophisticated, worldly, dangerous, smooth and full of so many different layers, emotions, thoughts and ideas. He is so many things wrapped up in a hot vampire package. There was not one facet of his personality that I did not love. He had me enthralled, mesmerised and ready to do his bidding from the get go.

Thankfully he meets the lovely and socially awkward Isadora Savoie. Or rather he, ‘bumps into her.’ It’s no secret I am drawn to the quirky, awkward, anxious heroines and that is exactly what Isadora is but she is also so much more than her anxieties. She is kind, funny, selfless, courageous and perhaps a little bit lonely, even though Big John plays a pivotal role in her life. Her soft nature sparks something off in Devraj’s more cynical one. They spark and flare off one another with a sensuality that ignites the pages. Juliette Cross is exceptionally talented at creating stories where our protagonists get to understand each other. They exalt each other's differences. They open up, learn to not only love each other but themselves too. They help each other discover parts of themselves that had been dormant or dead for far too long.

If you’re searching for a supernatural romance that is exhilarating in all ways then please look no further than this extraordinary love story. A story where the magic is plenty. Flowing through the plot, the characters, the dialogue. Weaving its way through each and every word, sewing a pattern of love, lust, danger, excitement and enchantment.

"He reeked of power. His disarming stance and charming smile did nothing to diffuse it. My Conduit magic could detect potent sources of energy better than any supernatural, and this guy was pumping it out in waves. I suddenly wanted him out of our house."

So, I went into this one thinking there was NO way that I would love Devraj and Iz as much as I loved Evie and Mateo because Evie is my fictional soul sister and I enjoyed their story SO much. I am happy to say though that was totally wrong! Iz and Devraj now hold an equally special place for me.

Don’t Hex and Drive was swoony and sweet with great chemistry between our MCs. I enjoyed this journey with them and I CANT WAIT for Violet and Nicos story.

The predecessor to 'Wolf Gone Wild', this was a decent followup to the 'Stay & Spell' series which centers around the next Savoie sister in line, Isadore.

Isadore was far more relatable and due to our similarities, I was able to connect with her a lot more than with Evie. Then we have our vampire Bollywood star, Devraj Kumar (who I picture as Ranveer Singh because I mean… look at him!). He was woo-wee hot! And the diversity, bravo! They were complete opposites in every single way but what I liked the most about their relationship besides the scorching chemistry was how they were able to balance each other and work seamlessly together when searching for the missing women.

Addition to that, the side characters were everything! I seriously can't wait to read Jules and Ruben's story and what led to their disastrous relationship as well as Violet and Nico. The cousin to Mateo, Nico seems like a troublemaker and I'm here for it.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this more than 'Wolf Gone Wild' and can't wait to see which sister is next. Fingers crossed it's Ruben and Violets because I need to know what their history was and the nature of their relationship.

Oooo, sooo excited to get my hands on an early ARC and revisit the witchy Savoie sisters. Isabella is a very strong Conduit and Devraj is a powerful Stygorn vampire and former Bollywood actor who’s come to New Orleans to track some missing women. Timid and shy, Isabella has a difficult time evading the enigmatic Devraj’s attempts to woo the fascinating witch. Despite her insecurities, Isabella is more than ready to assist in the search and eventually realizes that Devraj is not as enamored with his former celebrity life. Be prepared for laughs and surprises as Isabella blooms into a confident woman once her eyes are opened to the possibilities before her. Don’t Hex and Drive is the 2nd book in the Stay a Spell series and can definitely be read as a stand-alone (but you definitely want to read Wolf Gone Wild if you haven’t already!).