Don’t Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross

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Title: Don't Hex and Drive
Author: Juliette Cross
Series: Stay a Spell #2
Published by: Indie
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 350
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2023 COYER Chapter 1, Lenoreo's 2023 Diversity Reading Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

Notoriously bad at peopling, Isadora Savoie spends most of her time in the greenhouse or at the local animal shelter, using her Conduit powers of growth and healing. Content to remain in the background of the Savoie sister shenanigans, she’s reluctantly roped into the mystery of missing neighborhood girls. Now, she’s partnered with a flashy, flirty vampire to find them before it’s too late.

Devraj Kumar has seen and done it all. Three hundred years roaming the earth as a Stygorn — a legendary vampire warrior who operates in the shadows — has its perks. But ennui has set in. That is, until he has a run-in — literally — with an intriguing witch while on a new assignment in New Orleans. Fascinated by her resistance to his charms, Devraj can’t help but push her buttons in an effort to get to know the shy witch. Fortunately for him, she’s been recruited by the Lord of Vampires to assist Devraj on the case.

Between a Bollywood marathon, supernatural dating app, secret package, and sexy driving instruction, Isadora is in over her head. And Devraj? After just one taste, he’s playing for keeps.

My Review:

4.5 stars — Well wow, there is definitely no sophomore slump in this series!  I was worried at the beginning, because Isadora is so closed off, I wasn’t sure I would connect with her, or with them together, but I wholeheartedly did!

I really ended up loving Isadora.  Yes, she was shy and reserved and kept herself in the background…but I guess I can somewhat relate to that.  And no, I wasn’t impressed with how quickly she judged Devraj, but I think that was another element of her protecting herself because she already felt something between them from the first meeting.  It was wonderful to see her open herself up bit by bit, telling herself little lies so she could enjoy his company.  I was not impressed with some of her romantic decisions in the middle, but I *understood* them all the same.

And Devraj!  What a strange surprise in a charming package.  Like Isadora, in the end it wasn’t his outward trappings that won me over, it was his beautiful lonely heart that he kept protected.  I loved how meeting her just bowled him right over, and how he was drawn to her.  I loved his strong sense of duty, his love of his family and longing for something more.  I even enjoyed his pushiness with Isadora to get her to push back — he knew how far to take it and when to back off.  It took him a bit to get exactly what she needed in the end, but I had no doubt he would get there.

And they were just so lovely together.  Lovely, but also hella fiery in the bedroom!!  (or rather not in the bedroom *snort*).  I really truly felt the connection they had and that they were developing and growing together, despite Isadora’s qualms.

The background mystery story added a perfect little bit of distraction, and great moments with other characters in this world.  It was interesting to learn a bit more about vampires and the lore (though still no idea about the sun part), and to see how fiercely Ruben took his position as head in New Orleans.

And as with book one, one of my favourite elements was the moments with Isadora’s crazy family.  You can genuinely feel the love and caring they have for one another, and I love how different they all are, but they fit together.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to read more!