WALKING IN A WITCHY WONDERLAND is a collection of stories set in Juliette Cross’ “Stay a Spell” series. These stories are best for readers who are already familiar with this series, since each story takes place after or during one of the main books in the series. Three stories focus on couples from the previous books, one is a friends-to-lovers story about recurring characters in the series, and one story is what seems to be a prequel to an enemies-to-lovers story that will come out in the future. Each story has a super steamy scene for readers to enjoy along with some humor.

Bewitch You a Merry Christmas has witch Evie Savoie helping a man who has been hexed by another witch. Marcus has been hexed to embody certain holiday-themed physical characteristics at the drop of certain festive words or sounds. Evie’s mate (and hot werewolf) Mateo Cruz acts as her shadow as she tries to mediate between grinch Marcus and witch Tia. It soon becomes abundantly clear to Mateo that a big part of the friction between these two, is sexual frustration. I love the sizzling scenes between Mateo and Evie. They were always one of my favorite couples in this series because it was kind of a friends-to-lovers romance, and Mateo is just so devoted to Evie in all her geeky witchy glory.

Rockin’ Around the Hexmas Tree is a fun story about love, lust, and well-meaning sisters. Isadora Savoie and vampire Devraj are blissfully dating but, after a family White Elephant party, their normally healthy sex life kicks up a few notches. This story was as amusing as it was smoking hot. Besides the magic-enhanced passion, Juliette Cross hints at a love story for Clara Savoie, in addition to the near crippling sexual tension between Jules Savoie and vampire big shot Reuben. I don’t know which story I’m looking forward to more. Clara’s possible love interest seems like it might be a fun opposites-attract kind of thing, but I NEED to have Jules and Reuben hash things out between them. I am way emotionally invested in these characters.

Jingle Bell Rock has one of my favorite tropes – friends-to-lovers. In the past few books, it was evident to just about any of the other characters, as well as readers, that Charlie carried a torch for his BFF JJ. What was not evident until this story, told from alternating perspectives, was that JJ cared for Charlie a little more than he had always thought. An episode of jealousy has JJ wake up and look at Charlie with new eyes. JJ is something of an emotional wreck as he sorts out his emotions – first trying to deny them, before finally accepting his feelings but grappling with the right approach in expressing himself to Charlie. Charlie’s bafflement at JJ’s sudden change in behavior, and his amazement at finally getting what he’s always wanted, is adorable.

You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grim is a possible prequel to Livvy Savoie’s eventual romance with grim Gareth Blackwater. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this not-quite-yet romance. I’m much more a friends-to-lovers kind of chick rather than an enemies-to-lovers chick (except for Jules and Rueben – I need that story like yesterday). It’s good that the author provides alternate perspectives, because they both try to heavily mask the physical attraction they each have for the other. I guess I’m interested in seeing how it plays out. Hopefully Gareth might do a little groveling in Livvy’s direction.

In Jingle Spells, Violet Savoie and her honey (and werewolf) Nico Cruz, babysit for Evie and Mateo’s young triplets. Paranormal baby hijinks abound in this tale. It’s cute seeing this couple in the role of substitute parents. There is a mix of cute and funny with the actual babysitting, before the pair go home, and the baby-making is epic and highly erotic.