*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for honest review*

	The premise of this book had me expecting a light and romantic read. It started off EXTREMELY promising when Devraj hit Isadora with his car and I thought it was a fabulously rocky start to their relationship. Unfortunately their ‘relationship’ mostly consists of Isadora judging, ignoring and avoiding Devraj for the entire first half. I have no idea why the author decided to make her so reluctant, it made the hero look desperate and borderline creepy when his character was otherwise fun and cute. Up until 70% of the book she’s going on a date with another vampire, which wasn’t a plus point for their so called romance. The characters had a lot of potential that just didn’t follow through. I do appreciate the author not making a big deal of Isadora’s social anxiety, she was more as a character than just her anxiety being the focal point. Unfortunately her other traits weren’t very compelling either. She has a phobia of cars so she's constantly annoyed at other people for driving?? Did I mention she was driving at night in dark clothes without any lights on her bike when Devraj hit her? 

The book had a murder mystery aspect that I didn’t really care about either. The book space would’ve been better spent developing their relationship since the whole blood trafficking ring aspect seemed really contrived to make Isadora finally like Devraj. 

Devraj is a bollywood star by the way. The cliche was thankfully more funny than cringe. 

On the other hand I LOVED the side characters. Jules and Ruben had me on the edge of my seat and I need to know what happens there. The side characters were the saving grace, there was a surprising number of them but they all added to the story. All the funny and cute moments that made me smile were from the antics of the side characters and had me bumping up my rating to 3 stars. The single ladies performance in the epilogue was a great way to end the book.

Charming vampire and a shy witch? Yes please! Juliette Cross does a brilliant job with her characters and her writing is just wonderful. I loved this book so much!

***5 ‘Arugula’ Stars***

I have to say, if I hadn’t already been making grabby hands at this book, the opening line of the description would have hooked me because I totally get being bad at peopling ~ most will say I’m not, but sometimes peopling doesn’t go all that well ~ and I thoroughly enjoyed adorable awkwardness of Isadora as she collided with the charming and determined Devraj, as well as all the hijinks that always seems to surround the Savoie sisters and anyone who happens to find themselves in their orbit.

I adored Isadora and Devraj. Izzy is an introvert and shy and can be awkward in certain situations where any sort of peopling occurs, but she also has this inner strength that comes out when she feels strongly about something ~ whether it be about people or animals ~ and I couldn’t help but love watching her stubborn side come out to play. Dev is sweet, charming and playful. He’s also quite sneaky and determined and when all of that is combined with a protective streak a mile wide? Well, he’s quite lethal in every way.

Their journey to their HEA was all kinds of awkward, yet swoon worthy fun. I loved Dev’s determination to wiggle his way into Izzy’s world as much as I loved her determination to keep him at arms length or further. But the chemistry between them was undeniable and I loved watching as they both fell, hard, for each other.

I loved diving back into this world. NOLA is one of the places on my bucket list and considering all that is going on, this has been the best way to ‘visit’. The mystery/suspense was done well in this book. It was well thought out and executed and didn’t overshadow Dev and Izzy’s journey, but instead added to it. As for the cast of characters. I tend to have my favorites in any series, but here I’m pretty fascinated with all of them in equal measure, though I am crossing my toes that a certain Grim gets more page time as the series progresses. But as it stands, I loved getting to experience a little of the Jules/Ruben situation and cannot wait to get my hands on Violet and Nico’s book!

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

JUST SINK YOUR FANGS INTO THIS MAGICAL ROMANCE BETWEEN A CHARMING VAMPIRE AND A SHY WITCH 

“What did I expect from a vampire?  An old one, at that.  His magic hummed the air, tinged with power and control and the trait I hated most about his kind:  Seduction.”

A charismatic vampire and a shy witch with a green thumb make magic in this 2nd book in the Stay A Spell series.  Romance crackles, wary hearts come out to play, and supernaturals in human form bewitched me at every turn.  The previous book -- Wolf Gone Wild – cast a spell on me, but DON’T HEX AND DRIVE is every bit as infectious  and proves hands-down that this exceptionally talented author can magic her way into my heart and mind anytime with enchanting spells and hexes and charms that are both endearingly heartwarming and side-splittingly hilarious. My heart isn’t big enough to hold everything this beguiling series makes me feel.

Scorn and temptation meet head-on between sweet witch Isadora Savoie and glamorous, worldly vampire Devraj Kumar of Indian descent. She’s a conduit and he reeks of power.  Actually, an ancient vampire with special powers and purpose that scare her, along with his physical perfection and eerie observational skills.  Seriously?  A droolworthy mansicle of a vampire with long, sexy hair.  Neither one is prepared for the other after she’s accidentally struck by his car while riding her bicycle. A bad start that gets off on the wrong foot, as they both rock each other’s worlds and have no idea how to handle it.  Besides, he’s in town temporarily on special assignment involving rogue vampires and abducted girls.  His mission is complicated by living next door to Isadora and her eccentric, Bohemian sister witches and their oddball pets that blow up the laugh meter.  She’s his unexpected aphrodisiac, and he’s the thorn in her side who keeps invading her life and heart, while making amends for their "meet-uncute". A cautious witch with a heart of gold and a passionate vampire that’s a giver at heart beneath all that glam. The real magic is in their hearts, and it’s supernatural kismet with white flag surrender.

Fangs, spells, and a Big John vibrator make strange bedfellows for this rare, supernatural couple. Devraj and all his earnest charm swept me away, though Isadora and her guarded heart are a tougher sell. The ensemble cast of sister witches and the supernaturals in their midst (friend, foe, or soulmates)  are an intriguing mix,  blended with a cauldron of warmth, and batches of belly laughs. The supernaturals’ specific roles make them all the more compelling:  werewolves, vampires, witches, grims, etc. with unique strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits that were thoroughly bewitching and so befitting their niche in New Orleans' Garden District.  

It comes down to world-weary Devraj wanting a real home, and kindhearted Isadora overcoming her many fears (especially men)  and opening her heart to the love magic in front of her.  In a Pride & Prejudice twist, Devraj underestimates his feelings, and Isadora misjudges Devraj.  Their love journey was magical witchcraft all its own with threats of danger and uncertainty sprinkled in. Characters from the previous book and their various types of magic factor prominently in the love match and in the vampire  hunt that kept me thoroughly spellbound. All the cute twists on matchmaking, lovemaking, and human foibles of the supernaturals all around the couple had me in stitches.  But sexy Devraj and his alluring bag of vampire tricks? … I’d let him bite me any day.

This is a delightful, soul-deep romance that entranced on every level, while filled with ups and downs in the sweet, tender, and frisky uphill climb to love.  And the homage ending to an 80s’ iconic film choked me up and put hearts in my eyes.  I couldn’t love a book any more if I tried.  Pure enchantment and dazzyingly romantic. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

“ I was just waiting for you to figure it out. You don’t want the world to see you.  But I see you.”  
“No other man would ever compare to my beautiful vampire.”

ARC kindly provided by Victory Editing Netgalley Coop and the author for an honest review

This book kept me up til 1am & I couldn’t be happier!! The PERFECT follow up to a weekend of historicals😍 I mean, after getting a Jane Austen reference within the first chapter I knew I was in for a treat! 

Isadora Savoie is biking home with a *particularly* mystical pansy when she’s hit by a hot vampire in a Lamborghini. Despite escaping unscathed (pansy mostly intact), said vampire *insists* on making it up to her somehow, and her typical ploys for evading interactions with others are no match for Devraj Kumar—Bollywood Icon, Famed Stygorn, and new next door neighbor. 

I adored this book!! It’s my first from Juliette Cross and her prose is playful, quick, and there were SO many lines I just had to highlight💕 I also *loved* the banter between the Savoie sisters!! It felt just as wild/adoring/blatantly insulting as my conversations with my sister😂 AND THE HERO!!! Devraj was utterly dreamy— totally gone for Isadora from the get go and a verrrry thoughtful lover (those sex scenes are 🔥🔥🔥) Also as someone who’s watched a *lot* of Criminal Minds recently, the story thread where they were hunting down a vamp kidnapping women from bars was really interesting & created a cool contrast with the lighter elements of the book

Imma cut myself off before I gush too much, but this book was INCREDIBLE! It releases on September 1st and I can’t wait for it to be out in the world🥰 Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A ponderer with a passion for pansies and an irrational fear of cars meets a  beautiful Stygorn vampire with whiskey brown eyes and Bollywood perfection. Oh, what could go wrong? An *ass over teakettle introduction maybe?

Don't Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross has a cozy cottage/small-town vibe, yet the surroundings still elicit corners of danger. Devraj Kumar has come to town, at the behest of the ever domineering Mateo, to help solve a growing number of missing girl cases.  They are in need of help from the Savoie sisters. Isadora being Devraj's most sought after sister. 

Its a mixture of chemistry, longing, and mystery that makes Don't Hex and Drive my favorite type of read. It encompasses a sweetness yet, keeps the action running. Cross has such a beautiful way of conveying characters that come across as real. Even in a paranormal setting. 

From the meet-cute to the amazingly 80's ending. I loved everything about this.
~Tanja

This was a very enjoyable book...fans of Sookie Stackhouse novels will enjoy this as it's similar. Good character development and a plot that makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next!
Thank You NetGalley and publisher for this title

This was the first Juliette Cross book for me and I was not disappointed. The very beginning of the book did not have the hook that I really like right at the beginning, but as the chapter went along I developed more interest and wanted to see where this book was headed. Perhaps, I should have read book 1 first, but I was intrigued by the description of Isadora because I personally don’t people very well myself.

I was happy that Isadora moved past her initial feelings towards Devraj on a nice timeline. I personally do not want it to be too quick or too slow. Though too slow getting past the issues leaves me feeling irritated. Happily, that was not the case with this book. I was happy with the side intrigue in the story and also liked how the author interwove Isadora’s talents into the investigation. I have characters that I want to see in future books and that is a good sign. I love a series and getting to see a variety of characters find their one.

The sex scenes are steamy without taking over the whole book. They move the story forward and develop the relationship. The characters both respected each other in and out of the bedroom. It was wonderful watching the trust and intimacy grow along with their relationship.

The only downside to this book is the setting of New Orleans. This book could have really been anywhere because the book lacked descriptive text regarding the location. I felt like if you are setting a book in New Orleans then a better description of the locale, culture, and food is needed. This just seemed odd to me. The book was still a good read, but having New Orleans really used as a backdrop could have made this book great. I would totally recommend this book to people who enjoy Marian Keyes, Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella.

Omg im obsessed with them! And possibly addicted to Juliette Cross' writing. And the characters. They are so colorful and fun. And let me tell you the sex scenes are wet dreams come true (there might be a certain scene that's definitely NSFW but definitely panty melting)

I needed this book in my life right now and I had no idea! This series is filling the hole left behind when I finished all the Sookie Stackhouse books. I enjoyed this one much more than the first in the series. I think vampire romance is just my jam. Plus I absolutely love getting to know these Savoie sisters and can't wait for more of their stories. 

Isadora is an introvert witch with strong healing powers. She does the books for the family businesses and prefers to spend her time with plants and animals as opposed to people. Devraj is a 300 year old Vampire warrior in town on business. He's fascinated by Isadora and determined to get her to open up to him. 

There's a mystery at the heart of this story, missing girls and rogue vampires, that kept me engaged throughout the book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and I was sad when it was over. The writing is witty and sharp. I highly recommend it for readers of romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Juliette Cross for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I would like to start out stating that from my glance at the description and cover of this book I thought I was getting a fantasy novel, but it turns out this was a paranormal romance and also the second book in a series! Long story short, I was way out of my genre comfort zone here!

This series centers around the Savoie sisters who are a family of young witches living in New Orleans. This second installment focuses on Isadora, a shy conduit witch that would rather spend her time with dogs or plants than dating or dealing with people in general. While riding her bike home one day she gets hit by a car - the driver a handsome vampire who she has never seen in town. The sight of and conversation with this vampire, Devraj, seems to shake her more than the accident itself! 

After this encounter that left her so on edge, Isadora is happy to know she'll never have to see Devraj again...until he ends up renting the house next door! Soon she finds out Devraj is not just your everyday sexy vampire, but a Stygorn, who is in town to help a the Lord of Vampires with a case involving disappearing human girls.  Much to her dismay, because of her powers, Isadora is brought in and teamed up with Devraj to help solve the case. As much as she wants to resists him, Isadora is running out of excuses to stay away. 

Things got real hot and heavy guys! I liked the overall banter between Isadora and Devraj, but do think he seemed a little pushy and controlling. I think what set this book apart from other romances was the back story of the missing girls. There were really two plot lines going at once, which I enjoyed! I am happy to have read this and enjoyed the escape from my normal reads. Rating it for what this book is mean to be, just a fun escape, I would give this 3 stars. 

I had no issues jumping right in with the second book and I'm confident if paranormal romance is your thing, then you will love this!

I loved everything about this story, setting, characters, storyline.  It was very entertaining and sweet and looking forward to the other sisters' stories!

Shy and retiring witch Isadora Savoie lives in a house with much rowdier sisters who run businesses in New Orleans. She spends most of her time in the greenhouse preferring to talk with plants rather than people. Her powers as a Conduit allow Isadora to heal those in need including the shelter animals she visits with regularity. When human girls go missing, Isadora get corralled into helping find them even though it involves working with a flashy, Bollywood star, vampire who almost takes her out with his equally ostentatious car while she is riding her bike.

Devrag Kumar’s claims to fame are not only his colorful career but as a Stygorn: a vampire warrior who seeks and destroys the paranormal villains of his kind. Dev has been called into help solve the abductions by the Lord of the Vampires who has close connections to the Savoie sisters. He is everything Isadora is not: flamboyant and charismatic, with a dark and exotic attraction that she has trouble resisting though Dev had a tendency to throw Isa for a tailspin way beyond her comfort zone. The more she avoids Dev, the more he is attracted to her and determined to have a relationship even though he is a serial love’em and leave’em kind of vampire.

Since even vampires have laws about abusing and abducting humans, Dev is determined to stop a what looks to be a blood trafficking ring with the help of his reluctant witch. While they spend time together, he is also determined to unlock Isadora’s secrets realizing that she is more than a passing fancy. Isadora is trying to avoid getting her heart broken figuring this guy is not going to stick around. This tale is an entertaining read for fans of paranormal and slow burn romances. With five sisters of varying talent and skills, each of them adds a quirky and entertaining flavor to this tale as well as their individual stories. This is the second in the Stay a Spell series; however, it can be read as a standalone.

When I realized this was boom number two in a series I got worried but I quickly forgot anything to do with a series and fell into Devraj’s and Isadora’a relationship. The mythology of vampires and witches and werewolves in New Orleans is totally not what I was expecting and a stellar twist on a old trope. There was enough myth behind the differences that it almost felt more realistic. 

I do hate that Isadora just assumed Devraj was gonna leave her without ever talking to him about it and why she thought a relationship might be a bad idea, but as expected it all works out in the end. 

The secondary mystery plot on this one was a little sparse. Every once in a while it would be mentioned and I would have to try and remember everything about it cause it felt like a lot of time had passed.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this supernatural romance romp and I want to go back and read book 1 asap and I can’t wait for book 3!!

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

Two strong willed people meet when fast car encounters slow bicycle.  I thoroughly enjoyed the two main characters, and their thought processes as their relationship changes over the span of this book.  The author's take on her version of witches and vampires was interesting and a bit refreshing.  And it was nice to see that the author's worldbuilding didn't try to keep the various magical species from mingling, socially or romantically. 

I do wish that more of the book had been spent on expanding the mystery subplot, as I think that could have brought this author and book into a much wider audience, a la Patricia Briggs.

I will definitely be looking for other books in this series, as well as other books by this author.

First of all thank you so much for letting read me this book! I already knew I was gonna love this books because Um VAMPIRES & WITCHES? YES!! Right off the bat we get to see devraj & Isadora interact because of  a incident & whewww I was attached to devraj so fast! Sweet & charming but also sexy vibes??? Yess! Was lowkey jealous he wasn’t my next door neighbor but it’s okayy lol!  All through the books I was at the edges of my seat because the romance & steam between the two was so so much lol!  If you’re someone who loves vampires & witches books definitely pick this one up! You won’t regret it ❤️❤️

5 stars

I'm not exaggerating when I say that Juliette Cross saved me with this ARC. I had fallen into a black vortex of bad books due to my own stupid curiosity and boy; did I pay for it. I dove in this book like someone lost in the Sahara stumbling in an oasis. It made for such a welcome change and I've been waiting for it with bated breath since I finished the first one. I loved the effortless worldbuilding in the first book and I loved returning to it.

Actually, sat down at 2 am googling images and making notes for this the second I finished reading. Was forced to go to sleep by hubby asking what on earth I was doing on the pc in the early morning hours as I was literally nodding off on the keyboard. But I just had to write stuff down, if I could have, I would have stayed up to write this, I was that happy. This book made me so happy that I wanted to sacrifice my sleep, not to read but to write and share my giddiness with you. I think what I love most about these books is that the drama llama doesn't make an appearance. Yes, there was tension and chemistry and push and pull but no unnecessary dragged out drama just for the sake of it.  

Isadora is the sweet, quiet, introvert sister in a family of boisterous people. She's shy and giving, happiest in her garden, planting, making herb bundles or at the animal shelter sharing magic and love to the dogs stuck there. Her telekinesis and psychic abilities are weak and even though she is a powerful Conduit and confident in her powers, some times that made her feel frustrated in comparison to her more magically active sisters.

When Devraj knocks her off her bicycle he shocks her out of her safe routine. She doesn't like strangers, feels out of place when she has to interact with people but the accident shoves her right out of her comfort zone and that combined with a gorgeous, obviously rich male, along with the fact he is a vampire makes her defensive and prickly. She gets caught up in appearances but slowly Devraj shows her that appearances are misleading and there is so much more to him that what he appears to be.

Devraj one the other hand is instantly taken by her. As well as being a Stygorn Vampire, a stronger vampire than most, he was a famous Bollywood actor for a spell and filled his life with superficial entertainments. He becomes aware, after his last mission where he was forced to be alone in the mountains, that his life is lacking. Seeing Isadora and her sisters hammers the point home to him. After 300 years of existence, hunting and roaming the earth he realizes he is lonely and craves a home. Throughout the book he introspects and sees how he wants to change his life and that his attraction to Isadora is anything but shallow. She calls to something in him. And he will not give up until he changes her opinion of him and make Isadora his in all the ways.

Devraj and Isadora were the stars of this book and they shone so brightly. The building of their relationship from antagonistic to love, their attraction and chemistry, getting to know each other yet also seeing within themselves in the process was an absolute joy to read. Nothing made me happier than their interactions. Teaming up to find out who is behind the missing girls added an element of suspense in the plot and also pushed their relationship forward.

I don't know what more to say. I feel like I should gush some more because this book made me so genuinely happy that I still have a goofy grin on my face while writing this. If you love PNR I wholeheartedly recommend this. I cannot wait to see more of the sisters powers in action and to read about Violet and Nico, Jules and her delicious vampire, Ruben and someone (Clara?maybe Livvy) has to snap up that divine tatted up Grim! This is one series I intend to follow closely. Again many, many thanks to Juliette Cross for this ARC. Thank you so much for trusting me.

Getting to read Don't Hex and Drive in advance was pure joy for me, since I so enjoyed Wolf Gone Wild.
What I love most about this second book, though, is how different it is from it's predecessor. Isadora is a completely different character from her sister and Devraj was nothing like our dear wolf (except both are handsome, charming and extremely determined to be chosen by the awesome heroines).

At first glance, Isadora and Devraj are total opposites. She's quiet, shy and prefers to be home and alone with her garden. He's well-traveled, daring, popular, rich and outgoing. It's so fun to see them interact and, most of all, see Isadora have to reevaluate her prejudices about him over and over again. He's one of those rarities that are confident, but the wrong kind of cocky. He pushes Isadora's boundaries without me ever feeling he didn't respect her or her fears.

There's so much to love about this book - from the simple interactions, to Devraj's constant need to be close to her, to Isadora being a badass Conduit, to the sisters, to Ruben, to the steamy sex scenes (even though I'm a bit uncertain as to how two tall people manage to have sex inside a Lamborghini Diablo without getting uncomfortable..?), to the sappy love stuff. It would be a full five stars if it wasn't for a few things.

First of all, I know my limit for sappiness is quite low, so I rarely dislike a book because of that - this book contains multitudes of feels and thoughts and speculations about partnership and relationships and all that, but that's okay. What I didn't enjoy, however, was Isadora's thickheadedness. We don't really get a reason for her distrust and low self-esteem (when it comes to Devraj, anyway). Sometimes it felt like she and I weren't reading the same book, so to speak. I questioned at times if she'd even met Devraj or, you know, only used him for his hot bod and pierced tongue?

It's four solid stars, though, and I'm real curious about which sister we get to follow next. Even though I'm hoping Jules, I think our dear author will keep us on the hook for a while. Violet, maybe? Clara? Exciting!

/ Denise

This series has a whimsical feeling to it.  I love that each heroine is a sister form the same family of good witches.  If anyone would want to be a witch, it would be what these sisters represent.  They use their power for good and you just get that charmed feeling reading about them.  I'm really loving the vibe of this series.

I can relate a bit to Isadora.  She is a loner and a homebody.  She enjoys gardening, dogs and riding her bike around town.  She doesn't want to be in the spotlight and is a bit socially awkward when she is.  I know exactly how that feels.  She also loves her family and I find that all these sisters living in the same house just sounds like fun to me.

Devraj is a Stygorn vampire. He's stronger and more powerful than a normal vampire.  He has the dark, good looks that have woman fawning all over him.  He's famous and lusted after.  You would think that would make him an arrogant player, and yet he's not.  He's confident and does use his charm often, but when it doesn't work on Isadora, it just makes him more determined to win her over.

I love how much Devraj adored Isadora.  He could have anyone he wanted and he wanted her and never looked at another woman.  I love finding heroes like that.  Isadora does do a bit of pushing away because she thinks he would never fit into her life, but that gave us so many moments to see Devraj pursue her.  I loved him more with each chapter.

As mentioned above, I'm loving the addition of all the sisters in each book and it really has me looking forward to the next book.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Don't Hex and Drive after reading Wolf Gone Wild and was lucky enough to receive an arc from Netgalley and the author. The Savoie sisters are a family of witches living in New Orleans and they are all wonderfully different. This story is about Isadora who is shy and awkward but also a powerful Conduit, and Devraj, the devastatingly handsome actor and vampire Stygorn who literally knocks Isadora for a loop she wasn't expecting. He's not used to working for the girl but he can't stay away from Isadora and even though she's fighting the attraction, she can't stay away either. This book is beautifully written and the characters and plot are well developed. It is also gloriously steamy and delightfully funny. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!