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Spicy Little Curses
2 hours, 7 minutes
A reporter’s disbelief in the supernatural is tested when she uncovers a tattoo artist’s sinister family secrets in an enthralling short story by New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.
Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.
J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.
A reporter’s disbelief in the supernatural is tested when she uncovers a tattoo artist’s sinister family secrets in an enthralling short story by New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger.
Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.
J.T. Geissinger’s Spicy Little Curses is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 23, 2025
2706 people are currently reading
8110 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Geissinger
46 books25.8k followersJ.T. Geissinger is a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty-five novels and novellas. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over twenty million copies and been translated into more than two dozen languages.
She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za
She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,581 reviews
October 9, 2025
I too would wanna be stuck in a curse with either of them 🫦.
___
Novellas are the best way for me to explore an authors writing style. Let's see how I like Geissingers 🤞🏻
___
Novellas are the best way for me to explore an authors writing style. Let's see how I like Geissingers 🤞🏻
December 4, 2025
the nickname was "notebook"....wtf is going on?!?! 🤡
October 19, 2025
╰┈➤3 stars!
plot was really good, wish i could say the same with the endearment used
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
i’m just hoping for this to be good because this is going to be my first impression for j.t. geissinger!! 😩🤞🏼
plot was really good, wish i could say the same with the endearment used
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
i’m just hoping for this to be good because this is going to be my first impression for j.t. geissinger!! 😩🤞🏼
September 26, 2025
Cool premise, but did not feel Petra's banter at all. Tall, dark and handsome, gives your girly toes the curl they want.
![Profile Image for ariyel ⟡ [semi-ia].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1773105650i%2F112956157._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 26, 2025
── ⋆˙⟡ 1 star! ★
⌗ ❪ mini review ❫ ⸝⸝
౿ ݁ my thoughts. ⟢ sooo not into this. why the complete hell are we using unalive in books now??? actual insane behavior. i hated the fmcs personality immediately. she was pushy, not funny, and her whole sarcastic girl journalist thing was just annoying. and the mmc? genuinely boring. their chemistry was nonexistent and romance did nothing for me. but! okay fine the plot itself kinda had potential. the tattoos, the curse, the faceless demon guy?? pretty cool idea. just not written in a way i liked. this was not a great intro to this author and i don’t think i’ll be attempting anything else.
౿ ݁ pre-read. ⟢ i haven't read anything by this author. i don't even know what this is about. buuut i am committed to finishing the series so
𓏲 ⟡ scared sexy ⊹◞
⌗﹒ 01 hot for slayer — 5 ☆
⌗﹒ 02 falling — 1.5 ☆
⌗﹒ 03 spicy little curses — 1 ☆
⌗﹒ 04 space vampire — ?? ☆
⌗﹒ 05 beautiful nightmare — ?? ☆
⌗﹒ 06 my boyfriends are all monsters — ?? ☆
⌗ ❪ mini review ❫ ⸝⸝
౿ ݁ my thoughts. ⟢ sooo not into this. why the complete hell are we using unalive in books now??? actual insane behavior. i hated the fmcs personality immediately. she was pushy, not funny, and her whole sarcastic girl journalist thing was just annoying. and the mmc? genuinely boring. their chemistry was nonexistent and romance did nothing for me. but! okay fine the plot itself kinda had potential. the tattoos, the curse, the faceless demon guy?? pretty cool idea. just not written in a way i liked. this was not a great intro to this author and i don’t think i’ll be attempting anything else.
౿ ݁ pre-read. ⟢ i haven't read anything by this author. i don't even know what this is about. buuut i am committed to finishing the series so
𓏲 ⟡ scared sexy ⊹◞
⌗﹒ 01 hot for slayer — 5 ☆
⌗﹒ 02 falling — 1.5 ☆
⌗﹒ 03 spicy little curses — 1 ☆
⌗﹒ 04 space vampire — ?? ☆
⌗﹒ 05 beautiful nightmare — ?? ☆
⌗﹒ 06 my boyfriends are all monsters — ?? ☆
October 5, 2025
I really liked it, the curse and the tattoos, them racing against time to break it and the eerie atmosphere, it was so fun!!
Stories have been following Dax, the mysterious owner of a tattoo parlour, stories about ancient curses and doomed bloodlines.. Petra is a journalist that's looking for a story. She's sceptical, but after Dax's tattoos come alive under her touch, she finds herself entangled in a way that might cost her greatly. The rules have changed, her time is running out and they need to find a way to break the curse and fast..
Petra was sassy and determined, Dax was handsome and broody, a perfect combination. I absolutely loved their banter. And their pursuit for answers was so fun, from the French Quarter, to the masquerade ball, to the cemetery..
I especially liked the whole concept of the tattoos and the curse. This would've been amazing as a full length novel, it's such a cool premise.
I wish their connection was explored a little more though and that we got more of them.
Also, that ending has me very intrigued..
Stories have been following Dax, the mysterious owner of a tattoo parlour, stories about ancient curses and doomed bloodlines.. Petra is a journalist that's looking for a story. She's sceptical, but after Dax's tattoos come alive under her touch, she finds herself entangled in a way that might cost her greatly. The rules have changed, her time is running out and they need to find a way to break the curse and fast..
Petra was sassy and determined, Dax was handsome and broody, a perfect combination. I absolutely loved their banter. And their pursuit for answers was so fun, from the French Quarter, to the masquerade ball, to the cemetery..
I especially liked the whole concept of the tattoos and the curse. This would've been amazing as a full length novel, it's such a cool premise.
I wish their connection was explored a little more though and that we got more of them.
Also, that ending has me very intrigued..
October 18, 2025
I’ve heard a lot of different pet names in romance books but “notebook” is definitely a first
March 22, 2026
1⭐
her nickname was 'notebook' and that was the best part of the book.
please get nice and comfortable cause the story is about to begin.yes, that is an 'oscar winning tears' reference
starting this, i only knew about how horrible the nickname was. i soon discovered that was the least of my problems.
the first few pages were promising, an intriguing premise, a fmc i related to:
"It’s a pair of personality traits that are indispensable: skepticism and sarcasm. I had both in massive quantities", and maybe a broodylater turned impolite mmc.
it unfortunately became a hate read 40% in, so i did what any sane personwho still wanted to enjoy their read would do, highlighted every little thing that pissed me off, so now we have what to discuss, yayy😊
➜there is a thin line between 'broody', 'grumpy' or whatever you want to call it, and just outright rude. our mmc used that line like a jumping rope, except he jumped over it once and stayed on the rude side.
➜another thing that made me want to peel my skin off and put it back on inside out was how they trauma bonded over a curse. not really having real conversations
➜also, let me make your day better with a wonderful quote from their second time seeing eachother:
In the shadows, his eyes flashed with anger. “What you’re asking for, smart-ass, is a spanking.”
➜there were also instances where they were going somewhere and my guy got annoyed, strode off, and as a result gave me the impression that he was 5 years old "Instead of answering, he strode off down the street in the direction of the hotel, not bothering to look back to see if I followed."
➜i'm all for manhandling when it's done between twoconsenting adults people who know eachother, and not repeatedly: "I left the tattoo shop in a hurry, but it wasn’t like I had a choice in the matter. Little Miss Sunshine grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out. He slammed the door behind me and yanked the shade down over the window.", and also "He stared at me with wild eyes for a moment, breathing hard, then pulled open the door and threw me out onto the sidewalk. Again. He slammed the door in my face and left me alone in the mist".
➜while what's happening in these two scenes is not that bad, the writing does not work in its benefit. Using words like 'grabbed' , 'dragged' and 'threw' to describe inviting somebody to get out of a place do not help the case
➜even if i got over my earlier pointswhich i did, at the time. i could not in good conscience move on from this wonderful line "Skipping over the fact that he sounded as if he didn’t think women were actual people" and still miss girl still fell for him
➜"She wanted me to unalive Dax." is a word i never thought i would find in a published book, nevertheless here we are
➜she's not a flowers-and-foreplay type of girl. skipping over the unfortunate phrasing, this line of dialogue was used when he... erm... shoved inside her..? his words not mine, with no foreplay. she said that he was lucky she was not that type of girl, meaning that if she were the way he behaved could be considered a bit problematic (or maybe i'm too vanilla)
➜yk when i said he's grumpy and quiet? well, that turned out false when he once again acted like he was a toddler [her]"Distracted and in pain, I said, “What?” [him]“Think, Petra! It’s important. Did she say anything else that might help us?” , “Petra! Talk to me!” , "The second I took my first step, he hissed, “Careful!” , “Careful!” he hissed again. “Slow down! And stay close!” , "Dax said sharply, “What is it? What’s happening? Talk to me!”. like sir, she's scared for her life. you're supposed to be a calming presence and read the room, not whatever you're doing
➜they also use kindergarten insults as a love language, mainly him tho (i.e saying she looks like a toad and this murmured lovingly into my ear, “God, you stink. What are you using for shampoo these days, cat litter?” which speaks for itself)
Now, plot-wise i'm not in the position to complain, since this was a 90 page novella. HOWEVER what the actual fuck was that epilogue. This is a standalone halloween novella, yes? then WHY are you hinting that there's a mystery looming over them ("But there was a presence I was always aware of, a vague sense of danger I couldn’t quite shake" and "Until a shadow caught my eye from the street below. It moved against the flow of pedestrians, a flicker of darkness that shouldn’t have been there in the bright morning light, darting from tree to tree and slinking along the sidewalk. That crawling, knowing feeling that something wasn’t quite right returned.") like tell me what was the purpose of putting that there, am i supposed to wait for another book, are they gonna die, is that only their imagination? Also the epilogue felt as if the author saw how unstable their relationship was and added it to convince us that they really were happy and in love.
Overall if only the things i mentioned had been edited out this would've been a 3⭐.
note: if the rating confuses you, please check my bio
────୨ৎ────
pre-read:
I need something fast and furious and also need to finish this series
her nickname was 'notebook' and that was the best part of the book.
please get nice and comfortable cause the story is about to begin.
starting this, i only knew about how horrible the nickname was. i soon discovered that was the least of my problems.
the first few pages were promising, an intriguing premise, a fmc i related to:
"It’s a pair of personality traits that are indispensable: skepticism and sarcasm. I had both in massive quantities", and maybe a broody
it unfortunately became a hate read 40% in, so i did what any sane person
➜there is a thin line between 'broody', 'grumpy' or whatever you want to call it, and just outright rude. our mmc used that line like a jumping rope, except he jumped over it once and stayed on the rude side.
➜another thing that made me want to peel my skin off and put it back on inside out was how they trauma bonded over a curse. not really having real conversations
➜also, let me make your day better with a wonderful quote from their second time seeing eachother:
In the shadows, his eyes flashed with anger. “What you’re asking for, smart-ass, is a spanking.”
➜there were also instances where they were going somewhere and my guy got annoyed, strode off, and as a result gave me the impression that he was 5 years old "Instead of answering, he strode off down the street in the direction of the hotel, not bothering to look back to see if I followed."
➜i'm all for manhandling when it's done between two
➜while what's happening in these two scenes is not that bad, the writing does not work in its benefit. Using words like 'grabbed' , 'dragged' and 'threw' to describe inviting somebody to get out of a place do not help the case
➜even if i got over my earlier points
➜"She wanted me to unalive Dax." is a word i never thought i would find in a published book, nevertheless here we are
➜she's not a flowers-and-foreplay type of girl. skipping over the unfortunate phrasing, this line of dialogue was used when he... erm... shoved inside her..? his words not mine, with no foreplay. she said that he was lucky she was not that type of girl, meaning that if she were the way he behaved could be considered a bit problematic (or maybe i'm too vanilla)
➜yk when i said he's grumpy and quiet? well, that turned out false when he once again acted like he was a toddler [her]"Distracted and in pain, I said, “What?” [him]“Think, Petra! It’s important. Did she say anything else that might help us?” , “Petra! Talk to me!” , "The second I took my first step, he hissed, “Careful!” , “Careful!” he hissed again. “Slow down! And stay close!” , "Dax said sharply, “What is it? What’s happening? Talk to me!”. like sir, she's scared for her life. you're supposed to be a calming presence and read the room, not whatever you're doing
➜they also use kindergarten insults as a love language, mainly him tho (i.e saying she looks like a toad and this murmured lovingly into my ear, “God, you stink. What are you using for shampoo these days, cat litter?” which speaks for itself)
Now, plot-wise i'm not in the position to complain, since this was a 90 page novella. HOWEVER what the actual fuck was that epilogue. This is a standalone halloween novella, yes? then WHY are you hinting that there's a mystery looming over them ("But there was a presence I was always aware of, a vague sense of danger I couldn’t quite shake" and "Until a shadow caught my eye from the street below. It moved against the flow of pedestrians, a flicker of darkness that shouldn’t have been there in the bright morning light, darting from tree to tree and slinking along the sidewalk. That crawling, knowing feeling that something wasn’t quite right returned.") like tell me what was the purpose of putting that there, am i supposed to wait for another book, are they gonna die, is that only their imagination? Also the epilogue felt as if the author saw how unstable their relationship was and added it to convince us that they really were happy and in love.
Overall if only the things i mentioned had been edited out this would've been a 3⭐.
note: if the rating confuses you, please check my bio
────୨ৎ────
pre-read:
I need something fast and furious and also need to finish this series
September 30, 2025
Using "unalive" in a book should ban you from being published.
October 4, 2025
”It figured I’d fall for a witch. My taste in women always ran toward the feral ones.”
i really loved the concept of this one with the tattoos/ curses. the banter was fun, but Petra’s whole demeanor started to get annoying very quickly. Dax is the typical broody mmc, this just needed like 30 more pages.
i really loved the concept of this one with the tattoos/ curses. the banter was fun, but Petra’s whole demeanor started to get annoying very quickly. Dax is the typical broody mmc, this just needed like 30 more pages.
October 14, 2025
5 ⭐
I think it's been my favorite story so far. The story kept me hooked, and the main characters are incredible. I wish it was longer or had a sequel after that ending 👀
I think it's been my favorite story so far. The story kept me hooked, and the main characters are incredible. I wish it was longer or had a sequel after that ending 👀
January 1, 2026
This novella was so cool, my favorite one in this series, I’d love to read a full length book about this story! A great way to conclude my 2025 reads
October 12, 2025
idk… this was lowkey fire
January 8, 2026
4.5★
it’s set in new orleans (which is cool) and it’s about a journalist and a tattoo artist whose tattoos move by themselves because bro is cursed
had a blast🤙🏻
it’s set in new orleans (which is cool) and it’s about a journalist and a tattoo artist whose tattoos move by themselves because bro is cursed
had a blast🤙🏻
September 24, 2025
2 ★
The plot was good, but the FMC's forced humor made her so insufferable. Dax was okay (I like grumpy MMCs though), but the romance was underwhelming. Again, there was one quick spice scene which was meh. Ending set things up for a potential second book.
✧ journalist fmc × tattoo artist mmc
✧ grumpy/sunshine
✧ curses and magical tattoos
✧ 1/5 🌶
✧ available on KU
· · ──── ·🖤· ──── · ·
Scared Sexy Collection
Hot for Slayer—[4 ★]
Falling—[2.5 ★]
Spicy Little Curses—[2 ★]
Space Vampire—[3.5 ★]
Beautiful Nightmare—[3 ★]
My Boyfriends Are All Monsters—[1.5 ★]
The plot was good, but the FMC's forced humor made her so insufferable. Dax was okay (I like grumpy MMCs though), but the romance was underwhelming. Again, there was one quick spice scene which was meh. Ending set things up for a potential second book.
✧ journalist fmc × tattoo artist mmc
✧ grumpy/sunshine
✧ curses and magical tattoos
✧ 1/5 🌶
✧ available on KU
· · ──── ·🖤· ──── · ·
Scared Sexy Collection
Hot for Slayer—[4 ★]
Falling—[2.5 ★]
Spicy Little Curses—[2 ★]
Space Vampire—[3.5 ★]
Beautiful Nightmare—[3 ★]
My Boyfriends Are All Monsters—[1.5 ★]
September 21, 2025
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
✰ the collection on amazon
✰ the collection on goodreads
petra is a journalist from chicago, who is tasked to write up a halloween article in new orleans, about different urban legends. this leads her to dax and his tattoo shop, and even though she was a nonbeliever prior, dax’s tattoos make petra think she might actually have some sort of supernatural story on her hands. but she was not expecting an ancient bloodline curse!
this was actually the only author of the entire collection that i had not read from before! But even with that mysterious excitement, this one still didn’t really work for me. not because of the writing, but the main character was a little cringe and so very insufferable! yet, this does feel like a continuation story or an already established, or soon to be established, story.
trigger + content warnings: a lot of talk of death and loss, one sentence cult mention, blood, and an hp reference
♡ Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood ★★★
♡ Falling by Christina Lauren ★★
♡ Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger ★★
♡ Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon ★★★★
♡ Beautiful Nightmare by Katee Robert ★★★
♡ My Boyfriends Are All Monsters by Kimberly Lemming ★★★★
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | substack
✰ the collection on amazon
✰ the collection on goodreads
petra is a journalist from chicago, who is tasked to write up a halloween article in new orleans, about different urban legends. this leads her to dax and his tattoo shop, and even though she was a nonbeliever prior, dax’s tattoos make petra think she might actually have some sort of supernatural story on her hands. but she was not expecting an ancient bloodline curse!
this was actually the only author of the entire collection that i had not read from before! But even with that mysterious excitement, this one still didn’t really work for me. not because of the writing, but the main character was a little cringe and so very insufferable! yet, this does feel like a continuation story or an already established, or soon to be established, story.
trigger + content warnings: a lot of talk of death and loss, one sentence cult mention, blood, and an hp reference
♡ Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood ★★★
♡ Falling by Christina Lauren ★★
♡ Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger ★★
♡ Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon ★★★★
♡ Beautiful Nightmare by Katee Robert ★★★
♡ My Boyfriends Are All Monsters by Kimberly Lemming ★★★★
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | substack
September 23, 2025
I did not feel the magic in this one. Dark bad magic yes, romantic kissing magic no
September 28, 2025
J.T will always write the best and sassiest fmcs and the broodiest mmcs 🙌
This was a fun time! made me chuckle more than once.. exactly what I needed 🫶
This was a fun time! made me chuckle more than once.. exactly what I needed 🫶
January 23, 2026
My first by this author and a nice surprise.
Well written.
Incredible main characters.
A suspenseful story, with a sense of dread, evil shadows lurking in the dark, impending death by creatures unknown, a curse affecting all the members of a family bloodline, that can end in a very painful demise.
Petra, a journalist, came to New Orleans to write a piece about urban legends that eventually lead her to Dax Rousseau, a hot, tall, dark hair, muscular body, full of strange tattoos, owner of The House of Ink and Blood.
And he's cursed!
And grumpy!
Petra is feisty, sassy, funny, always joking with serious things, and of course she calls him sunshine!
He's been seeing her in his dreams for months so he knows her name, and though she's a sceptic she sees with her own eyes the ink twisting and squirming benearh his skin, and the crackle of electricity when she touches him.
And know it seems that she's an important piece to unlock the curse.
So in between the scorching kisses, the spicy stuff, the amazing banter, they are rushing together to solve the enigmatic advices they got from Celeste Leclair, a powerful medium and a strange, frightening shadow of a man only Petra can see, to end the curse once and forever.
Will they be able to do it in time before the curse kills them?
And then there's the epilogue.
There's always one, with an intriguing ending that leads me to believe that maybe, maybe not, there will be a book following this story!
Well written.
Incredible main characters.
A suspenseful story, with a sense of dread, evil shadows lurking in the dark, impending death by creatures unknown, a curse affecting all the members of a family bloodline, that can end in a very painful demise.
Petra, a journalist, came to New Orleans to write a piece about urban legends that eventually lead her to Dax Rousseau, a hot, tall, dark hair, muscular body, full of strange tattoos, owner of The House of Ink and Blood.
And he's cursed!
And grumpy!
Petra is feisty, sassy, funny, always joking with serious things, and of course she calls him sunshine!
He's been seeing her in his dreams for months so he knows her name, and though she's a sceptic she sees with her own eyes the ink twisting and squirming benearh his skin, and the crackle of electricity when she touches him.
And know it seems that she's an important piece to unlock the curse.
So in between the scorching kisses, the spicy stuff, the amazing banter, they are rushing together to solve the enigmatic advices they got from Celeste Leclair, a powerful medium and a strange, frightening shadow of a man only Petra can see, to end the curse once and forever.
Will they be able to do it in time before the curse kills them?
And then there's the epilogue.
There's always one, with an intriguing ending that leads me to believe that maybe, maybe not, there will be a book following this story!
March 25, 2026
I would’ve liked a full-length novel to flesh things out since the plot was interesting, but I needed a more likable FMC and significantly better spice!!
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I need something easy to read and fun, and nothing else is grabbing my attention
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I need something easy to read and fun, and nothing else is grabbing my attention
October 24, 2025
I know novellas are short and more fast-paced, but this one from the collection wasn’t bad. I finished it and enjoyed it. The only thing I didn’t like was the whole insta love/lust over a very short period of time.
Having the guy be cursed and his tattoos animated (not gonna lie- hot), but them trying to break a curse where “when a girl falls in love with me, they die,” and she’s the exception because she isn’t in love with him, made me roll my eyes so hard.
So sure, it was cute, the smut was spicy, but besides that… meh.
Having the guy be cursed and his tattoos animated (not gonna lie- hot), but them trying to break a curse where “when a girl falls in love with me, they die,” and she’s the exception because she isn’t in love with him, made me roll my eyes so hard.
So sure, it was cute, the smut was spicy, but besides that… meh.
September 29, 2025
That was…..a story.
October 3, 2025
Thoughts
This was my first reading experience with this author and let's just say the way she writes her characters is a bit of me especially a sassy FMC! I had fun with this one
Tropes
▪︎ Sassy x grumpy
▪︎ Journalist FMC
▪︎ Cursed MMC
▪︎ Voodoo and blood magic
Plot Summary
Petra has never believed in the chilling ghost stories that swirl through New Orleans’ French Quarter—at least, not until she crosses paths with Dax Rousseau, the enigmatic owner of a tattoo parlor known as the House of Ink and Blood. Dax’s body is covered in strange symbols that seem to writhe with a life of their own, hinting at a dark legacy he cannot escape. Drawn to him despite her better judgment, Petra soon realises that falling for Dax may tie her fate to the deadly curse haunting his family for generations.
My Bookstagram
This was my first reading experience with this author and let's just say the way she writes her characters is a bit of me especially a sassy FMC! I had fun with this one
Tropes
▪︎ Sassy x grumpy
▪︎ Journalist FMC
▪︎ Cursed MMC
▪︎ Voodoo and blood magic
Plot Summary
Petra has never believed in the chilling ghost stories that swirl through New Orleans’ French Quarter—at least, not until she crosses paths with Dax Rousseau, the enigmatic owner of a tattoo parlor known as the House of Ink and Blood. Dax’s body is covered in strange symbols that seem to writhe with a life of their own, hinting at a dark legacy he cannot escape. Drawn to him despite her better judgment, Petra soon realises that falling for Dax may tie her fate to the deadly curse haunting his family for generations.
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November 2, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 2-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
‧˚ ꒰ 🪡 ꒱ thoughts ₊˚⋆
The number of nicknames, witty comebacks, and the road to breaking the curse were fun, but I feel like this novella was violently dragging me through the chaos of it all. Am I complaining a bit, but did I like it, kinda lol🤓
╴╴⊹ ꮺ˚ Scared Sexy Collection 🎃 ╴⊹˚ ╴╴
⟢ ♯01 ∼ hot for slayer 🦇꒰ 3.5✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯02 ∼ falling 🪽꒰ 1✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯03 ∼ spicy little curses 🪦꒰ 2✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯04 ∼ space vampire 🪐꒰ 2✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯05 ∼ beautiful nightmare 💭꒰ 1.5✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯06 ∼ my boyfriends are monsters 🪙꒰ 1✩ ꒱
╴─ ⟢・⸝⸝ Overall rating ~ 1.83 stars ☆.ᐟ ─ ╴
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Need to finish this series before all my Halloween vibes are gone, so reading all the remaining novellas todayyy!🫣🧡
❝ And I knew without a doubt that this woman who walked out of my dreams and into my shop on a rainy October night was always meant to show up. Because, somehow, she was part of the curse too. ❞
‧˚ ꒰ 🪡 ꒱ thoughts ₊˚⋆
The number of nicknames, witty comebacks, and the road to breaking the curse were fun, but I feel like this novella was violently dragging me through the chaos of it all. Am I complaining a bit, but did I like it, kinda lol🤓
╴╴⊹ ꮺ˚ Scared Sexy Collection 🎃 ╴⊹˚ ╴╴
⟢ ♯01 ∼ hot for slayer 🦇꒰ 3.5✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯02 ∼ falling 🪽꒰ 1✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯03 ∼ spicy little curses 🪦꒰ 2✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯04 ∼ space vampire 🪐꒰ 2✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯05 ∼ beautiful nightmare 💭꒰ 1.5✩ ꒱
⟢ ♯06 ∼ my boyfriends are monsters 🪙꒰ 1✩ ꒱
╴─ ⟢・⸝⸝ Overall rating ~ 1.83 stars ☆.ᐟ ─ ╴
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Need to finish this series before all my Halloween vibes are gone, so reading all the remaining novellas todayyy!🫣🧡
October 6, 2025
I did not like a thing about this story, aside from the premise.
September 24, 2025
I looove Petra. She's sassy, feisty, whipsmart, and overall badass. She literally saved the day in this book, and Dax served more as moral support in their story. I want to read stories like this where the women outshine and where their strength and wit take center stage. It's sooo refreshing to see female characters who break stereotypes and lead the stories with confidence. 🥰
I really enjoyed this one because of Petra, and tbh, I could care less about Dax, sorry. 🫣 He's just meh for me. Also, I didn't like the side plot where he lost a woman who loved him due to a curse. I'm probably annoyed because I didn't even know if he loved her at all. Anyway, the dead lover trope is so not my jam, which made me like him even less.
Anyway, moving past that. This was really entertaining, and that's mainly thanks to the FMC. She carried this whole book, and I'm here for all of it. 🤭
I really enjoyed this one because of Petra, and tbh, I could care less about Dax, sorry. 🫣 He's just meh for me. Also, I didn't like the side plot where he lost a woman who loved him due to a curse. I'm probably annoyed because I didn't even know if he loved her at all. Anyway, the dead lover trope is so not my jam, which made me like him even less.
Anyway, moving past that. This was really entertaining, and that's mainly thanks to the FMC. She carried this whole book, and I'm here for all of it. 🤭
September 24, 2025
I should have skipped this one in the series 😫 prepare for a rant, folks!
Geissinger has let me down lately, and this novella didn’t break that streak!
Petra was infuriating. She was 100% just like any other Geissinger FMC 🙄 sassy, ridiculous, with quippy comebacks that have a “unique” sense of humour to them.
She and Dax (fucking stupid name btw) fell for each other instantly 🙄 and for no fucking reason. No real development of their relationship, just instant love. MAYBE if this was a full length novel, she could have made them work. But for a novella? No. Just…no.
And I’m sorry but a fade to black for the spice? wtf?! I thought this series was supposed to be sexy? Is their “banter” meant to satisfy that requirement? 😑
I’m giving Geissinger a wide, wide berth for the foreseeable future. Not sure if I’ll go back to her TBH. I’ve loved some of her stuff, don’t get me wrong. The Queens and Monsters series was enjoyable. Pen Pal too. But I’m sick and tired of the same FMC being recycled and the same BS banter being reused 😖
Geissinger has let me down lately, and this novella didn’t break that streak!
Petra was infuriating. She was 100% just like any other Geissinger FMC 🙄 sassy, ridiculous, with quippy comebacks that have a “unique” sense of humour to them.
She and Dax (fucking stupid name btw) fell for each other instantly 🙄 and for no fucking reason. No real development of their relationship, just instant love. MAYBE if this was a full length novel, she could have made them work. But for a novella? No. Just…no.
And I’m sorry but a fade to black for the spice? wtf?! I thought this series was supposed to be sexy? Is their “banter” meant to satisfy that requirement? 😑
I’m giving Geissinger a wide, wide berth for the foreseeable future. Not sure if I’ll go back to her TBH. I’ve loved some of her stuff, don’t get me wrong. The Queens and Monsters series was enjoyable. Pen Pal too. But I’m sick and tired of the same FMC being recycled and the same BS banter being reused 😖
September 28, 2025
could read 400 pages of this story
December 18, 2025
the setup…
Petra is a reporter from Chicago, dispatched to New Orleans to track down some of the supernatural urban legends surrounding the city. One in particular involves Dax Rousseau, owner of the tattoo parlor House of Ink and Blood who has a cat named Lucifer. Sources say his body is covered with tattoos…but they’re not inked and he was born with them. And, as one of the male line of Rousseaus, he’s living with a curse that originated in an earlier generation. Petra’s pretty cynical so when she experiences an unexplained connection and phenomena, she becomes a believer of this sexy specimen.
the heart of the story…
Petra is full of snark and chatter, the taciturn Dax no match for this woman who showed up out of nowhere but was recently in his dreams. I loved their banter (he calls her Notebook and she calls him Sunshine). And, that curse is not only real but dangerous.
the narration…
Seriously, this collection is full of 5-star narrators and Vanessa Moyen & Troy Duran delivered spectacular performances. They made their characters pop from the pages.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed the story, particularly because of Petra and her oddball nature and cynical sense of humor. Tracking down the curse was interesting and the ending held promise of more to come. Great way to close out the collection. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
Petra is a reporter from Chicago, dispatched to New Orleans to track down some of the supernatural urban legends surrounding the city. One in particular involves Dax Rousseau, owner of the tattoo parlor House of Ink and Blood who has a cat named Lucifer. Sources say his body is covered with tattoos…but they’re not inked and he was born with them. And, as one of the male line of Rousseaus, he’s living with a curse that originated in an earlier generation. Petra’s pretty cynical so when she experiences an unexplained connection and phenomena, she becomes a believer of this sexy specimen.
the heart of the story…
Petra is full of snark and chatter, the taciturn Dax no match for this woman who showed up out of nowhere but was recently in his dreams. I loved their banter (he calls her Notebook and she calls him Sunshine). And, that curse is not only real but dangerous.
the narration…
Seriously, this collection is full of 5-star narrators and Vanessa Moyen & Troy Duran delivered spectacular performances. They made their characters pop from the pages.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed the story, particularly because of Petra and her oddball nature and cynical sense of humor. Tracking down the curse was interesting and the ending held promise of more to come. Great way to close out the collection. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
October 23, 2025
2.5 Stars
Unfortunately, this suffered from an instantly (and unwaveringly) unlikable heroine. Know-it-all, busybody journalists aren’t my vibe on a good day, but in a short story format, where character growth is already flimsy, it’s just an archetype I’m not going to enjoy even under the best circumstances.
If you aren’t adverse to such, and are in need of a fast moving, light angst, insta-lust romance, with a semi-spunky, generationally cursed, broody hero and an adequately spooky plot, you might fare a lot better with this shorty than I did.
Unfortunately, this suffered from an instantly (and unwaveringly) unlikable heroine. Know-it-all, busybody journalists aren’t my vibe on a good day, but in a short story format, where character growth is already flimsy, it’s just an archetype I’m not going to enjoy even under the best circumstances.
If you aren’t adverse to such, and are in need of a fast moving, light angst, insta-lust romance, with a semi-spunky, generationally cursed, broody hero and an adequately spooky plot, you might fare a lot better with this shorty than I did.
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