I loved Celine and Ronan’s love story. If I could add more - I’d have loved for Ronan to do more with his artwork, but ultimately this was a cute & sexy story! Thank you for the arc- attached is my fuller review on Goodreads!

This was a sweet spin-off of the Stay a Spell series, focused on one of the triplets. It was fun to see all the kids grown up, but to someone who hadn’t read the original series, it won’t have the same charm. The story focuses around Ronan, a werewolf cage fighter, and his journey to become champion. His relationship with his mate was very smooth sailing, and most of the problems they faced didn’t actually cause any difficulty. I felt this lacked some of the complexity that made the original series so wonderful. However, Juliette Cross does a wonderful job of writing emotional healing and personal growth, and this book had plenty of that, focusing on anxiety and PTSD.

For a light urban fantasy, this is a fine read.

I just wish there was a lot less alpha male energy. I understand how this author is working with werewolves but I find the actual application of this established world lacking in the plot.

There's a lot more said than shown here and it really hurts the plot. Reminding the reader constantly about relationship dynamics established are what brings what could've easily been a four star read down to a three. Celine has that overbearing cloud of protective males around her but there is nothing actually done to prove it to readers. We hear over and over about it but it isn't until past the 40% mark that we actually see activity with it.

Bad boy werewolf Ronan Reed moves to Louisiana to escape his troubled past, only to be captivated by Celine Cruz, a compassionate Aura witch with a knack for healing broken souls. As their forbidden romance heats up, Ronan’s dangerous world threatens to tear them apart, forcing him to protect the woman who’s become his greatest weakness.

A Rebel Without Claws is the first book in the Southern Charm series and features the second generation of the Stay a Spell universe. This story focuses on Celine (Evie and Mateo’s daughter) and her love interest, Ronan (Shane’s nephew). It was so much fun revisiting New Orleans, reconnecting with beloved characters from Stay a Spell series, and meeting the next generation. I enjoyed Celine’s interactions with her brothers and cousins as well as getting to know Ronan and witnessing his personal growth and development throughout the story. Some of the most touching moments were Ronan’s therapy sessions which added depth to his character. It was also heartwarming to see him embark on a journey of self-discovery, build a stronger relationship with his Uncle Shane, and find a sense of home with newfound friends. In terms of Celine and Ronan’s relationship, it developed too quickly and I wasn’t a fan of the instalove. However, I did enjoy other aspects of the book and found it to be a quick and engaging read. Now I can’t wait to see what other characters will have their stories told in future books of the series!

Ronan Reed has moved to New Orleans at the invitation of his Uncle Shane. It's a new start, and an opportunity to participate in the legal werewolf cage fighting in Louisiana. But his dormant wolf sits up when Ronan smells sweet Celine Cruz for the first time.

Celine is an Aura witch and an art counselor. As they start dating, the two of them must work through their issues and history to build a relationship to last.

Why I started this book: Love a good pun and a paranormal romance...

Why I finished it: Spin off series can be tricky, as it is always a trade off in how much detail to the previous series you should include. Cross went light into the back story, world building and if we are honest other than the fated mates trope, light into the paranormal aspects too. This is a lovely story of true love encouraging you to follow your dreams and work through your issues with counseling. Not what I was expecting at all but still a good story.

〰.✦my thoughts:

i haven't read the stay in spell series so this is my first impression of this universe and characters. i thought the world building was under developed and i couldn't get a feel of the place at all. there's all these different creatures; vampires, warlocks, wolfs, witches but none of them were ever fully explained or expanded on. plot was simple and predictable with ending that felt a little rushed.

my main issue was the insta-lust/love romance which isn't for me. they see each other for the first time and become obsessed straight away. timeline was unclear but it all felt very fast paced with them declaring their love for each in a short amount of time. that being said i did find them cute together and there was some wholesome moments. i was disappointed there was no kn0tting but i understand some people might prefer that.

i enjoy PNR but for me this book was missing that magical feeling.

This is a super fun spinoff of the Stay a Spell series! I really enjoyed this and can't wait for more from this new series!

Juliette is a fantastic writer and I absolutely adored her Stay A Spell series and this is just absolutely perfect.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the Stay a Spell series and was super excited for the next generation spinoff, but this story fell a bit flat for me. I think having read the Stay a Spell series hindered my impression of this story. It read like the author was trying too hard to make this book both similar and different from Wolf Gone Wild and it hurt the overall story. I loved getting the flashes to the characters from the original series and getting introduced to all their kids who will hopefully get their stories soon, but the insta-love wasn't for me. While I adore the fated mates trope, the insta-love of this book wasn't ideal and since the passage of time in this book wasn't explained it was hard to tell how long Celine and Ronan knew each other. I also thought the whole old fashioned caveman thing with all the men being overly protective has been overdone and could've been toned down a lot. I'll for sure keep reading this series, but this one wasn't my favorite.

I'm really excited for the start of this new series in the Stay a Spell world. I loved both Ronan and Celine and can't wait to see what the other characters get up to.

The fact that I was able to read this as an ARC is seriously the best Christmas present I could’ve received. “A Rebel Without Claws” is one of my most anticipated books of 2025. I decided to close 2024 off with reading it and let me tell you it did not disappoint.

Our favorite paranormal New Orleans family is back! But now it’s the next generation all grown up and finding themselves as well as their supernatural partners. Book one in the spin off series did not disappoint. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. All fans of the Stay a Spell series will be extremely satisfied with the Ronan & Celines story.

I loved getting to see grown up Celine Cruz. She’s a crazy talented Aura witch and does everything in her power to help those in need. She finds her better half in Ronan a werewolf cage fighter that has a troubled past. These two were so freaking adorable and I shipped them immediately. I love how they both had their own demons to overcome but they worked together in a healthy communicative way to overcome their obstacles together.

I also loved seeing some of my favorite Stay a Spell characters make their respective appearances. Especially Mateo & Evie. They raised some amazing kids. And I hope we get books for Joaquin & Diego somewhere down the road.

Overall, long time Stay a Spell fans you will not be disappointed and new fans that start with this book I hope it convinces you to go back and start from the beginning!

Big Thank you Netgalley, Juliette Cross, and Union Square & Co. for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the equivalent to a warm hug. The stay a spell series is one of my top comfort series’ so naturally the spin off series/next generation was one of my top anticipated books! It did not disappoint:
Our FMC a cute aura witch -who is also an art therapist was adorable.
Our MMC was a stunted werewolf who thrived in underground fighting clubs.
The unlikely pair was so sweet and I had to appreciate the mental health rep in this book.
Juliette Cross’ stay a spell/southern charm world she’s built is one of my all time favourites. I love the witches, werewolves, vampires and grims and the laws and rules that govern them.
If anyone is looking for a little light at the end of the tunnel- I would highly recommend this book.

Thanks to both NetGalley and the author for the Arc.

I’m okay with mates but not crazy about fated mates. So, Ronan and Celine’s relationship seemed a bit shallow to me at first because of that. I really liked the concept and backstory of both their characters though, and being an ‘Aura witch’ sounds so cool.

I love that therapy was discussed and encouraged!

I found the romance and dialogue a bit cringe at times, but again I am not a fated mates fan, so maybe you will feel differently.

There is a series that takes place in this world before this book, so I recommend reading Stay a Spell by Juliette Cross before diving into this one.

I absolutely love Juliette Cross' work and inhale ALL her works the moment I get my hands on them. Whereas I was just as excited for the Stay a Spell series to continue with the new generation, I am not the target audience for the insta-love trope and or the obsessive mate vibes. With how much I love her books, it was only time before I found one that was less than five stars for me and although it wasn't for me, those bits I do not love are parts others will swoon and obsess over.
Cannot wait to read more as the series continues and absolutely loved seeing Shane again (oh heyyyy UNCLE Shane).

Okay, so Rebel Without Claws? Absolute vibe. This standalone paranormal romance had me kicking my feet and giggling like a teenager. The MMC (Ronan 🥵) is the definition of “Touch her and die” energy, and the way he’s all in from the moment they meet? Chef’s kiss. It’s giving fated mates, found family, overprotective brothers, and the kind of public spice that makes you blush but also flip the page faster.

The romance had me hooked, but the story goes deeper with a tragic past and redemption arc that hit me right in the feels. The whole vibe is fun, fast-paced, and honestly just so entertaining. If you’re into a protective alpha vibe, some angst, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments, this is the book for you. I’d give it a solid 4 stars—definitely recommend for when you’re in the mood for something spicy and fun but also a little emotional


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5


I also featured this book on my booksta for what I was reading on a cozy Sunday. Will be featured on my booktok for reading wrap up of December

A Rebel Without Claws by Juliette Cross.
4 Stars

This is my second book by Cross, after reading The Wraith King and absolutely falling in love with it, I decided I need to look into more of her work because it seems to keep me hooked. So, I came across A Rebel Without Claws and decided to give it a whirl. Here we go.

Upon completion the first thing I realise was this was set in the same universe as Stay a Spell series, which I have not read yet but will now be starting very soon. Juliette has such a descriptive writing method, where it doesn’t come across to strong but she is able to describe perfectly and managed to place descriptions perfectly in a book. Right where you need and want them. It was honestly just an awesome read.

I loved the two MC’s. Both having their own personalities and traits, but when they come together they seem to become better, do better and be better. They worked so well together and it was absolutely brilliant. Celine was my absolute favourite and I enjoyed following her journey the most.

***5 Stars***

I devoured this baby. Which wasn’t really a surprise considering how much I loved the Stay A Spell series, though one never knows until they open the book and jump in, but this was a win in my book and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in NOLA.

I loved Celine and Ronan. Celine was a sweetheart. She’s had her fair share of rough times, despite her huge overprotective family, but she’s come out of it with a clear vision of how she wants to live her life. Ronan has had it rough, and some of the rough is of his own making. He is confident and can be all kinds of alpha (not like Alpha alpha, but…) and all kinds of sweet as he finds his place in NOLA.

Not gonna lie, their romance is all kinds of insta BUT Ronan is a werewolf and it’s not like Celine is unaware of werewolves and Sup’s and how it can be when one finds their mate. But even with the insta, I enjoyed watching as they get to know each other and get to see not only their strengths, but their vulnerabilities and figure out how to be a true partner to each other.

As I said at the start, I loved the Stay a Spell series and was all kinds of excited when this spin off was announced and I wasn’t disappointed. So a good part of my enjoyed of this book was just heading back to NOLA and getting to spend time with some of my fav characters ~ Alpha did not disappoint ~ and start get to know their offspring and they also did not disappoint. I’m looking forward to getting to know Samara, Diego, Joaquin and Morgan more and I’m crossing my toes that Zack, Ty & Bowie get some page time, along with Shane, because they were awesome. I will also add that there are a couple of situations that come up with may be triggering to some readers, but they are handled with care. So, no to wait to see who will be next on the chopping block!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This is the second Juliette Cross book I have read and I adored it.

I had no previously read the Stay a Spell series which this is set in the same universe and is the first generation from that series.

This follows Ronan - a werewolf shifter with a troubled past and Celine , the Aura witch daughter of a Werewolve alpha and witch.

Ronan moves to Louisana to be with his Uncle Shane , he has big goals of being a champion werewolf cage fighter still its legal in this stage.

He soon meets Celine, and his wolf , who had been laying dominant for years , perks up and relaises Celine is his mate.

However Celine comes from a very large and protective family , so dating her might not be as easy as Ronan seems.

But Celine can't stop thinking about him and soon fate intervenes for them to meet again.

This story just made me so happy , I was fully invested in both Ronan and Celine love story. They both had trauma in their past but together they both grow and flourish.

I will be reading more of Juliettes stories.

I loved this forbidden monster romance. THIS WAS AMAZING! This was a great and thrilling romance that keeps you wishing the couple the best and needing book number 2.

4.5 ⭐

This was a unique paranormal romance; unlike the ones I've read in respect to the rules of the paranormal creatures. And the plot line. I enjoyed how everything played out. I liked the modern set up of the paranormal world with organized communities, courts, and organizations.

The characters were lovable and funny. I enjoyed their interactions among one another and their character developments.

However, I felt like the writing did not have a good flow because of some of the dialogues. The story would be going well, but the things the character would say - or rather the way they would say - made it sound silly sometimes. I don't mind cheesy dialogues, but these were not just in cheesy ones, almost every important scene had a dialogue which made me pause and wonder "why would they even say it like that?"

Other than that, I quite enjoyed the story and look forward to the next books in the series.