Listen. I loved this. It gave me such a serotonin boost, like holy cannoli this is exactly what I needed! Am I biased because I love Christmas and this series? Possibly, but I don't care! I feel like this whole review is just me gushing, but this is the Stay a Spell Christmas Special that we all wanted and needed! Simply delightful, it made me so happy!

This is exactly what you expect it to be. These are sweet and spicy holiday shorts that give us a glance back at some of our favorite couples (I didn't realize how much I missed Mateo/Alpha until I was reading!) and new ones! I loved that we finally got to see how JJ and Charlie came together, and got a little taste of what's to come with Livvy and Gareth. I may have let out a frustrated cry when I realized how short You're a Mean One, Mr. Grim was! I seriously cannot wait for their book!

This definitely feels like it's for fans of the series, and this is not a place to start if you haven't read the other books! Luckily, there's plenty of time to read the first three books and then treat yourself to this one by the time December rolls around!

I loved this so much! Evie and Mateo and Isadora and Devraj continue to be my favorites, and I loved all of the hints about the other couples. I’m really looking forward to their books especially Jules and Ruben. There is so much animosity from her and I am SO curious about what happened between them. I hope Devraj’s comment about them needing a month-long sex romp comes to fruition. Oooh, and Livvy and Gareth. They’re going to be HOTT!

My favorite part was the spelled ornament that amplified everyone’s lust. For Isadora to be the introverted sister (and the one I identify most with) I feel like it’s a gift to me as the reader that she has the hottest and most adventurous sex life.

One of my other favorite parts was seeing the origin of JJ and Charlie’s relationship that started in Witches Get Stitches. And Evie and Mateo’s triplets! So much chaos and I would love to see a spinoff at some point because of their powers. Mateo/Alpha as the overprotective papa wolf was so funny.

Bewitch You A Merry Christmas
(Mateo & Evie)

Set right after the events of Wolf Gone Wild, we get to see Evie and Mateo deep in their honeymoon phase. Evie has a Christmas hex to break which include a certain witch and her neighbor that we heard about in Don't Hex and Drive. It was a cute circle back that I’m really glad we got to see. We also have a certain grim make an appearance and get to see some tension between Nico and Violet. It short, adorable as heck and includes a rather spicy scene.

Rockin’ Around the Hexmas Tree
(Isadora & Devraj)

The sexual tension in this one was at an all time high. Bring on the steam and Christmas spirit! It’s set about a year after Don’t Hex and Drive, so the honeymoon can’t keep their hands off of each other phase should be over, but it seems like the holidays are quite the turn on. This short story which was absolutely hot as heck with some tender moments. We also get a Jules and Ruben scene, my favorite broody grim makes another appearance with a not so innocent Clara and no book is complete without Nico and Violet quietly pining for each other in the background.

Jingle Bell Jock
(JJ & Charlie)

In a world of supernatural creatures, we have the very human JJ and Charlie. Their story takes place during Violet and Nico’s which is such a cute parallel; friends to lovers galore. I don’t want to say too much since we really don’t glean much about JJ or Charlie in the other books, but it was nauseatingly cute. I loved that we get to see how good of friends the Savoie sisters are and how magic can’t help every situation.

You’re A Mean One, Mr, Grim
(Livvy & Gareth)

Ever heard that TikTok audio that goes something like “oh my motherfuc*ing god he didn’t” ?! Yeah that was all I could think about while reading this one. Holy hot hell. We’re in so much trouble when it comes to Always Practice Safe Hex. Should’ve been called 50 Shades of Grim. The story takes place during Witches Get Stitches, right after New Years, when Livvy is interviewing for that influencer competition. We finally get to see her interactions with Gareth that have her all hot and bothered along with what sexy scene he sends her telepathically. I don’t even know how I’m going to wait the next few months for their book.

Jingle Spells
(Violet & Nico)

I’m not saying I have a favorite couple, but I adore the heck out of Violet and Nico and was looking forward to their story the most. It’s a couple years after Witches Get Stitches and we get to see how their relationship has progressed and what’s up next for them. We also get to see a bit of Evie and Mateo and how their life has changed drastically since we last saw them. It was short and sweet that of course included a steamy sex scene.

Oh my!! I don't know what to say and this seems like an epilogue of few couples and a start to something amazing for others. I had no idea I'm diving straight into what somes like happy glimpses of their life and now I can't wait to read all the other works of Juliette Cross.

I loved all the part but Why is there no more of Livvy and Gareth. I wanted more. Please do give me.
Nico and Violet had me laughing so much with the babysitting.

This book was adorable, cute, steamy as hell, spicy, hot and what not. A mixture of all the paranormal beings who are sexy witches, werevoles, vampires, grims this book will keep you hooked and smiling and feel all the feels. I loved the world and characters created by the author, you can't help but fall in love. Just wow!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for a chance to read this.

My review will be posted on Instagram under the handle "thisreadergirl" and Twitter "KriReads" on 6th October. It is posted on Goodreads under the name Kriti Dalmia.

RATING 4.5 STARS

Walking in a Witchy Wonderland is book #3.5 in the Stay a Spell series by Juliette Cross. This was a super fun, super sexy group of five short stories featuring our favorite Savoie Sisters over the Christmas holiday.

“This was my safe place. My heaven on earth. My Christmas wish come true.”

Bewitch You A Merry Christmas features Evie and Mateo and of course, Mateo’s inner wolf, Alpha. Evie needs to remove a hex from a customer but of course, wants to find out who and why the hex was put on him so it won’t happen again. But all Mateo (and Alpha) want is to get their Evie alone. Since this was our first couple, it’s been awhile since I read this one and I loved revisiting them and seeing how much these two love each other.

Rockin’ Around The Hexmas Tree features Isadora and Devraj. At their family gift exchange, a particular ornament makes the rounds and ends up with Izzy and Dev. This ornament makes for some fun sexy times between these two whose sexy times didn’t really need a boost. This was so much fun.

Jingle Bell Jock might be my favorite of the five stories. This one features our favorite bartender, JJ and his best friend, Charlie. On New Years Eve someone is putting the moves on Charlie. Charlie has been secretly in love with his best friend, JJ but has given up that he will ever feel the same way. Maybe it’s time he finally moves on. But JJ has his own moment when he realizes he doesn’t want his best friend seeing another man. He wants him for himself.

You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grim featured Livvy and Gareth Blackwater who is a Grim. This was a little sneak peak into a couple that hasn’t had a book yet and I loved it. The Grims are so mysterious and I can’t wait to get to know Gareth better.

Jingle Spells featured Nico and Violet. This was probably the sweetest of the five stories. Nico and Violet are spending the evening babysitting Nico and Evie’s triplets! Yes, I said triplets. It’s a challenging night but these two did great with these three little ones. And seeing each other in the caregiver role definitely sets off their maternal feelings. Maybe it’s time for them to start working on their own family? Or, just have some fun practicing!

All five of these stories made me smile so big. I love this series and revisiting everyone made me so excited for the next book, Always Practice Safe Hex. I’m pretty sure I know who it will be about but we’ll just have to wait to be sure!

To say that I love this entire series would be a HUGE understatement. I'm absolutely and completely obsessed with these sisters and their friends and community.

I want more of Gareth...badly. I can't wait to learn more about the Grim and I'm dying to know more about Henry. The little bits we get of both in these short stories made me ravenous for them.

And seriously...can we take a minute to talk about those babies?! No, no, I won't spoil it but that was hilarious and adorable.

If you love this series then you need to grab this book. The little glimpses of the sister's with their men and the rest of the family is funny, touching, and steamy. The short story about Charlie and JJ...you NEED to read it.

I don't want to say too much. Since these are so short it would be too easy to give away details. But you need this in your life. You do have to read the other books first for it to really make sense and hit you correctly.

All the stars, all of them!

When Juliette Cross announced she was going to be releasing a Christmas anthology set in the Stay a Spell universe I was ridiculously excited – these books, the Savoie sisters and the various paranormal races are some of my favourite in the genre at the moment. I was even more excited when I was approved for an arc on Netgalley.

These short stories take place in and around the previous three books in the series, revisiting the couples we’ve already met, setting the stage for the next couple and giving us the story of how one of the side-couples finally find their way to each other. And I loved all of them. There’s enough magic – both Christmas magic and witchy magic – to make this a special holiday anthology. It’s full of humour, steamy scenes and fun.

While I loved all the stories, I’m going to highlight two of them:

In Jingle Bell Rock we finally get JJ and Charlie’s HFN as the two of them finally work out that they both want more a friendship. It doesn’t all go to plan, obviously, and the two have to battle pining and jealousy, but it was so nice spend time with these characters who have been on the periphery of the other stories. This one is set during book three (Witches Get Stitches) in the timeline.

And perhaps my favourite – possibly surprisingly so, given that it’s only the start of this couple’s story – was You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grim. This also takes place during Witches Get Stitches and sets the scene for what will be the book focused on Lavinia “Livvy” Savoie and Gareth Blackwater, a grim and her rival for a huge job opportunity. The grim reapers are some of my favourite characters in this world, and Livvy and Gareth’s enemies (to-hopefully-soon-lovers) story was so much fun and I can’t wait to see how the rest of it plays out.

If you’re after enjoyable holiday stories with a paranormal flair, keep an eye out for this anthology, releasing on October 5th, 2021.

Walking in a Witchy Wonderland is filled with perfectly wrapped packages you'll be eager to plunder and pillage this holiday season ((smirky-grin))


Mateo and Evie have that sexy all-consuming kind of love.

Isadora and Devraj giving you delectable debauchery.

JJ and Charlie serving up besties in all ways.

Gareth and Livvy... Well, hello. (gulp) May I speak, Sir?

Nico and Violet... just....damn.

Juliette Cross has given us five thoroughly sexy reads that will have you in search of some mistletoe or a man to unwrap. I loved everything!

~Tanja

This collection features five new sexy and fun holiday short stories and was such a fun glimpse into the wonderful paranormal world and cast of characters Juliette Cross has created. I adored revisiting couples from the series and getting an introduction/more info on new characters. Heartwarming and steamy! Definitely best for those who have read all the previous books in the Stay A Spell series as a lot of the stories read like an epilogue. Highly recommended for fans who, like me, jump at the chance for any new Savoie Sisters content and need something to hold them over until the next book!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Juliette Cross’s Stay a Spell series is just so fun I jumped at the chance to read its Walking in a Witchy Wonderland holiday anthology.

Offering a chance to catch up with some of the stars from previous books & see how they’re happily ensconced in their HEA—plus giving us a “new” couple’s story as well as a lead-in to a future book, this anthology has five chapters & a lot of material to offer series fans.

If you’ve been missing Evie & Mateo, Isadora & Devraj, & Violet & Nico, you can catch up them as they navigate new challenges & share some really steamy scenes.

You’ll also see how Charlie & JJ finally leave the friend zone & get some fresh scenes with Livvy & Gareth *cheers.*

Did I mention the steam earlier? Bc this anthology is SO steamy. It’s also lovely & reassuring, of course, seeing that the couples are still blissfully together.

But some of the plot points don’t work for me 100%, like in “Rockin’ Around the Hexmas Tree,” when there’s a lust-inciting ornament involved. I’m not a fan of any substance/object affecting a character’s sexual behavior without their consent, magic or not.

This anthology is entertaining & sexy but some aspects disappointed me.

3.5 ⭐️. Release date: 10/05.

Walking in a Witchy Wonderland
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author: Juliette Cross
Genre: Romantasy
Clean Read: No
Content Warning: Adult language and sexual content

1. Bewitch you a Merry Christmas - Every time Evie and Mateo are together you can feel how beautifully sweet they are to each other. I loved them in Wolf Gone Wild and readers get that same level of unconditional love, scorching sheets, and general adoration from both of them. When Evie has to break a hex for a customer, she is surprised to learn that it was her best friend who is the culprit! I was thoroughly intrigued by this plot introduction and am hopeful that it is a hint of another wonderful full length novel to come!

2. Rockin’ Around the Hexmas Tree - Izzy and Dev have always had a seriously sizzling sex life. But a stolen White Elephant gift takes it to whole new level! Once Izzy and Dev determine the source of the lusty magic, they surreptitiously give it to the proper and intended target(s). This novella is humor mixed with heat and I’m here for it!! 🤣🙌🔥 I also enjoyed the family scene of playing games during Christmas and the vivid and detailed writing that invites the readers following along to become a part of it all.

3. Jingle Bell Jock - The first M/M love story I’ve read and I was not disappointed. Readers of the series are already so invested in Charlie and JJ and have been wondering “will they” or “won’t they” since book 1! A New Years kiss sets this one in motion, but not necessarily in the way one would expect! It was a very sweet addition to the anthology and a perfect place share their story.

4. You’re a Mean One Mr. Grim - My favorite of the anthology! Readers have been hinted at with Garett and Livvy’s romantic tension in past books, and this is more teasing but in a meatier and more detailed way. As they move forward in the PR competition and continue to be each other’s prime competitors, the readers are set up for how their full story will unfold. In what will seemingly be a classic (and one my favorite tropes) enemies-to-lovers tale, I can’t wait for the full length novel! This was a great indicator of what is to come (kind of like Gareth’s telepathy - IYKYK)!!! 😉🔥

5. Jingle Spells - This was the sweetest and most adorable little story about Nico and Violet’s adventure in babysitting the triplets! 3 babies is more than enough for any couple to handle, but when you add in supernatural abilities, during the toddler years, it’s unbridled chaos! Thankfully, everyone makes it through the evening mostly unscathed (except for a certain swiffer and rubber ducky that will never be repaired)…but the highlight is how Nico and Violent see new sides of each other. Who knew Violet could be maternal?! And Nico is already so sweet with his niece, it makes sense that he would be a great father one day. Time will tell in what’s next for these two! But this experience has them definitely looking forward to a future filled with little ones. ✨❤️

This series has quickly become one of my feel-good favorites! The setting (New Orleans), the magic, the love, the family…what’s not to like?! Juliette Cross never disappoints.

Thank you to NetGalley and Juliette Cross for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

My favorite paranormal romance series got a Christmas installment?! AND it was 10,000/5 stars? How did I get so lucky? 😭

This was absolutely perfect. We get to see glimpses of our fav couples through the Christmas season. I was so excited to see JJ and Charlie were included as well, because I was seriously craving their story! Also, we get a sneak peak at Gareth and Livvy that has me dying in anticipation for their book! Each of the 5 stories put a giant smile on my face. I loved these little slices of life during the holiday season!

-Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It was an amazing novella for the couples. Loved the holiday theme! Can't wait for the next book to come out and for more babies to come on board. My favourite story was the one from Mateo and Evie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Juliette Cross for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realise that four of the five short stories are actually epilogues, with the fifth introducing a new couple. I haven’t come across this author before so had a bit of catching up to do. Despite this, I really enjoyed getting a sense of this new to me author’s work and it definitely ticked all the boxes - rom com, paranormal, humour and sizzling chemistry in spades ! It was heartwarming without being cheeesy and left me smiling. I’m excited to discover such a great author and can’t wait to read more of her books!

"This was my safe place. My heaven on earth. My Christmas wish come true."

THIS novella was my Christmas wish come true! What a fun holiday rom-com packed with Christmas cheer! All your favorite characters: the Savoie sisters, witches, wolves, grims, and JJ and Charlie! Walking in a Witchy Wonderland was SUPER cozy and made me excited for the holiday season, white lights, snow globes, and Jimmy Stewart. It's a Wonderful Life. Not going to lie, I have a favorite sister and it's Clara. I cannot wait for her story!

"Once your heart found it's match, home was wherever they were."

READ IF YOU LIKE:
-the stay a spell series
-supernatural creatures
-christmas cheer
-eggnog & baked goods
greenery & glittery snowmen figurines

Thank you Juliette Cross for an advanced copy!

Song: Let It Snow by Frank Sinatra

I wrote a mini-review slash my hectic thoughts for each story as I read it. As a whole, I cannot find a single fault with it. Except I want more 😂

Bewitch you a Merry Christmas

Evie and Mateo’s story

Evie and Mateo are my favourite couple, followed closely by Violet and Nico with a potential to be knocked off first spot for Jules and Ruben in the future, but who knows.

Anyway, I digress. This little story takes place in the December following Wolf Gone Wild. We meet some new characters, visit old besties and of course get into the mind of Mateo for some delicious Alpha monologues.

Plot: Evie wants to help a grumpy man who’s been hexed for Christmas, only to find out that there might be more to it than meets the eye (good stuff, don’t worry!)

While trying to get to the bottom of the hex, she also has to help prepare for Violet and Clara’s birthday which is all time that she’d much rather spend with her yummy man.

Enter the world of Savoie sister chaos and you get puns, karaoke, hot romance and of course magic.

PS: Clara’s favourite Historical Romances are brilliant and my TBR is now that much longer! Oops.

Rockin’ Around the Hexmas Tree

Isabella and Devraj’s story.

Plot: After a fun night of exchanging presents for Christmas, Izzy and Devraj realise something strange is going on. They have lots of fun as they try to figure it out.

This story was hot, hot, hot. Devraj’s dirty talk is just something else. Yum. 🔥🔥🔥

Jingle Bell Jock

JJ and Charlie’s story

This story takes place during Witches Get Stitches and gives us an insight into the snippets we’d caught about JJ and Charlie’s relationship.

Plot: Done waiting for JJ to notice him romantically, Charlie starts to date other guys again. He’s unaware that JJ is fuming from jealousy and would do anything to win his heart.

This is a lovely M/M, friends to lovers short story.

You’re a Mean One, Mr Grim

Livvy and Gareth’s story

Oh. My. God.

I was not expecting that. The sexual tension between Livvy and Gareth was simply off the charts. By Chapter 2, I was head over heels in love with the Grim and all he’d done was get madly jealous of a man wanting to shake Livvy’s hand. The man was jealous because he didn’t want anyone to shake Livvy’s hand, people. Why was that so hot?! Oh maybe because Gareth has BDSM thoughts about Livvy? Maybe? Oh my God, I can’t wait for their whole story.

Plot: Livvy is desperate to win the PR competition which means everything to her. The only thing standing in her way? Gareth Blackwater, a grim she can’t stand especially because she finds herself attracted to him on levels she can’t deny.

Jingle Spells

Violet and Nico’s story

I just love Violet and Nico. That werewolf is everything a girl could ask for, honestly.

Plot: Evie has finally managed to convince Mateo/Alpha to go out on a date and let Violet and Nico babysit. Things aren’t easy as they seem however, as the triplets show their growing powers and cause total chaos. Can Violet and Nico make it through the night? And more importantly, can Alpha let control go long enough to enjoy a date with his wife?

Overall, this has been one of my favourite collection of short stories. I have to put up my hand and admit, I enjoyed Livvy and Gareth’s story the most and can’t wait to see where they go.

This collection is absolutely brilliant and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Juliette Cross for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Walking in a Witchy Wonderland is a wonderful anthology, which perfectly compliments the Stay a Spell series. Each story follows a different Savoie sister and their love interest, at various points within the story. It's really cute and fun, whilst still having all the sexiness we expect from this series.
I absolutely loved this book! It was so great to revisit all the couples we've previously met, as well as get to know Livvy & Gareth - their novella has got me so excited for their full story! I really enjoyed going forward in time at the end, as it's always nice to see the couples a few years later. I love the Savoie sisters and how much we get to see their interactions within each book - we get to know them all so well and they get me excited for each of their own books.
I am so glad we've still got three more sisters' stories to get to - I can't wait to get to them but also don't want them to end!

Returning to the world of the Stay a Spell series (which follows a family of witch sisters in charge of the New Orleans supernatural community) in this short story collection was an absolute joy, and this eARC arrived at exactly the right time to cheer me up. I highly recommend reading the first three novels in this series before picking this one up (or else several things will definitely be spoiled!) but otherwise, please do pick this up if you're looking for a book to put you in a better mood.

Although I enjoyed all of the contemporary paranormal romance stories in this collection, my favorites were probably the return to Evie/Mateo/Alpha from the first book in this series, Wolf Gone Wild, and the much-foreshadowed friends-to-lovers story of JJ and Charlie, two side characters who appear in all of the books, as they're close friends with the Savoie sisters. Juliette Cross does a great job of mixing sweet romance with spicy scenes, and this collection also made me even more excited than I already was for the next three books in this series (particularly Livvie's enemies-to-lovers romance with a rival Grim!).

I received an eARC of Walking in a Witchy Wonderland from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun way to get an extra sneak peak into each of the sisters in the series. Some feel like epilogues, and for the sisters who we haven't gotten their books yet, it was more like a prologue. On top of that, we got a more in depth look into Charlie and JJ's start of their love story. I just love this family of sisters and I enjoyed getting more from them. The cutest part was the last short story. I'm always a sucker seeing a hero with his kids. So cute!

I'm not much of a holiday romance kind of chic. Christmas romance usually bore the shit out of me! but.... Juliette Cross's Walking In A Witchy Wonderland just shot that all to hell. So I guess this hoe! hoe does love a Christmas romance read!!!! I guess if you write one with hot and sexy vampires,werewolves,witches and grims I'm all in! What a fabulous read with 5 behind the scenes short stories from the Stay A Spell series. I love this paranormal world that juliette has created with the savoie witch sisters! Each one is so unique and so are the men who love them. I have to admit that vamps are my favorite paranormal characters their so hot,sexy and intense but juliette has me expanding my book boyfriend supernatural reverse harem with werewolves like mateo/Alpha and nico! Holy fuck these wolf's are hot!!!! And Grim's like the tech savvy and oh! So! sexy and dark Gareth Blackwater with his obsidian gaze and killer body that would make any women's panties instantly wet! Can't wait for his and lavinia's book because any guy who sends what he wants to do to you telepathically in great detail is a keeper!!!! Now you know I saved the best for last!!! Devraj is one of the sexist vampires and his and isadora's story was a toe curling, mind blowing steamy hot! Vampires are the kings of seduction and a vampire in love is especially intense and the sex to die for! And I loved it!!!! No one does it better then a vamp! Each story had love, humor and passion and the funniest was Nico and violet babysitting mateo and Evie's 3 kids!!! Can't wait to see how these kids turn out! Their little pisser's and already showing their hidden talents. And juliette's first M/M romance between charlie and JJ the bartender at the saviore sister's bar was hot, beautiful and something that I've waited for from the beginning. I love this couple so much and I'm glad JJ finally pulled his head out of his ass! Charlie is awesome! Can't say enough about this writer! Every book leaves me wanting more! If you haven't read this series your missing out on one hell of a good time! Until next time Luv's💞💋