Cursed with Benefits

by Roxie Ray

House-sitting a creepy mansion was supposed to be easy—until Nadia accidentally wakes up a grumpy vampire lord who’s now magically bound to her.

Step Get him to stop calling people “peasants.”
Step Convince him that biting is NOT an acceptable form of communication.
Step Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for him. (Oops.)

✨ Perfect for readers who
– Grumpy/sunshine chaos
– Forced proximity that sizzles
– Cozy rom-coms with a bite

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Romance

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2026

About the author

Roxie Ray is a group of writer friends who love to write Sci Fi Alien Romance and Paranormal Romance. They love to talk, read and write this lovely genre. They hope you love their books and strive to make sure you have a steamy, wonderful experience!

Reviews

[Dankinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd recommend this if you are looking for a book about vampire that has been sleeping for centuries and the house sitter that wakes him up working together to break a curse.

Overall, I rate it 3⭐out of 5 which means I found it to be a good book that I enjoyed and would recommend. While I know I won't feel compelled to re-read it in the future, I liked it enough to read more books by this author in the future.

What worked for me:
• Cristian making sure Nadia was more than ok with everything they do together

What didn't work for me:
• There were some inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story

Finished Reading
02/13/2026

[Jesseswhisperingpages Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read almost all books written by Roxie Ray and this one was definitely near the top! I loved the internal dialogue, under-the-breath mumbling, and occasional impulsive statements by the FMC. The banter between the FCM and MMC was epic, and the way they understood what each other needed was so sweet.

I liked the way the book blended old school vampire themes (such as the classic haunted mansion) with modern technology. I found myself laughing out loud many times reading the conversations between MMC and Alexa!

Overall, I loved the cozy yet spicy combo this book demonstrated. I would rate it a 2.5 for spicy and 4.5 on the cozy, sweet vibes scale. Even with the spicy, sweet, and cozy vibes, the plot didnt get lost. I liked the plots twists. This book was 5 stars for me!

I recieved an advanced copy of this book on booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s not to love about this cute story of a human teacher who accidentally wakes a centuries old vampire while house sitting. I loved the dynamic between the MC’s. The banter between them was just perfect and as always Roxy gave us all the feels and perfect mental health reps that are not always done correctly. If you looking for your next vampire paranormal romance with a broody MMC and an over the top don’t take no shit FMC, then Cursed with Benefits is the perfect book for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was supposed to be a summer of self-care and re-learning to love herself turned into something a teeeeeeny bit different for Nadia. Different as in the house she's house-sitting for is possibly haunted, the vampire she accidentally awakened is smokin' hot, and the local vampires are SUPER invested in getting her new vampire housemate to join them.

They will literally go to any lengths to get him. Including, but not limited to, betrayal, vague promises, invading his dreams, an over the top masquerade ball, and just being general jerks.

To say that Cristian isn't into their whole court thing might be understating it. The guy has already dealt with being bound by them once, he's not about to let them get their metaphorical fangs in him to drain him dry now that he's escaped.

In fact, he just wants his freedom. But since he's magically bound to Nadia, he's kind of stuck. Except...being bound to her starts feeling less like a prison every day. He admires her kindness. He appreciates her bubbly spirit. He feels maybe a little less lonely when she's around.

So when the vampires targeting him put her in their sights, he does what any powerful vampire lord would do...well, maybe that's not right. He does what he thinks he needs to do to keep Nadia safe. Even it if might not end well for him.

A spooky house, some serious affirmations, more than a few steamy kisses (not to mention a bite or two), a vampire who found something worth fighting for, and a lady who realizes she doesn't need to face the world on her own. You know, as long as it's the right person she's facing it with. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Anna gardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cristian and Nadia

This book has it all, humor, hot vampire romance, adorable characters, creative story line, and a happily ever after with no cliffhanger. I loved it.

[Tami Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmagosh! So much fun! I simply loved Nadia and Christian. And as soon as I thought I figured out what direction one of the male characters was going in, they swerved. New directions for everyone! Fun, tension, suspense, romance, and surprises, everything I could ask for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mia Cavaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story from beginning to end. It struck that perfect balance between sharp humor, genuine emotion, and slow-building romantic tension that keeps you completely invested. Nadia is such a compelling lead. She is messy in the most endearing way, self-aware but still figuring things out, and watching her step into her own strength made the romance feel earned rather than easy.

The dynamic between her and Christian is exactly what I want in paranormal romance. He carries that centuries-old intensity and restraint, but underneath it is a depth that makes every charged moment land even harder. The chemistry builds at a satisfying pace, with plenty of anticipation before the payoff. When it finally clicks, it feels both swoony and grounded.

Beyond the romance, the supernatural elements add real stakes without overpowering the tone. There is danger, tension, and a few twists that keep things moving, but the heart of the story is always the characters. I especially appreciated how themes of self-worth and personal growth were woven into the chaos.

This was an engaging, addictive read that I happily devoured last weekend. I finished with a huge smile and immediately wanted more. Five out of five stars from me, and I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves witty, steamy paranormal romance with heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one, and tried my best but there were just too many problems for me.

The authors want the reader to believe that the FMC finds a man in a coffin at a house she is staying in, automatically assumes he is a vampire, and is somehow, if not okay, then accepting of it. And yet they never clarify why the FMC is so accepting.

The authors also want us to believe that the MMC is an ancient vampire who was living in the 1600s when he was sealed away. Yet his interactions with the FMC aren’t consistent to that fact. There are times when he is baffled by the modern world, but other times when he seems right at home without question.

There are also a lot of inconsistencies. The FMC has food delivered to the house, but she has to take the MMC shopping at the mall for clothing. The MMC is shocked by the FMC showing her midriff, but has no problem walking around nude the first 24 hours of their acquaintance. And on and on and on.

The authors just didn’t commit to the story they were telling and it made it so error-filled and awkward to read that I just couldn’t enjoy it.

I did appreciate the writing style, and was impressed with their decision to make their FMC a person with mental health issues. If only they had dedicated themselves to the continuity of the story in the same way….

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate this book 3.5 stars but have rounded up because its important to support indie authors and because the adhd rep really mattered for me and was represented really well. I would assume the author may be ND as characters in their other book (Swipe Right on Fate) are also very ND but not stated directly. However having read SROF and now this its clear to me that the author may have some issues with pace, which really impacted my enjoyment of this book. The characters themselves are what kept my reading, and I absolutely loved the first 50%, but alot of things became very repetitive. There was constant low stakes (pun not intended) visits to the villians lair in which almost nothing happened, no proper conflict or risk of being caught. This repetition and pacing issue meant that I never really bought into the serious risks the characters were facing.
However, the characters, the rep, the dialogue for most of the book, was really excellent. Roxie Ray does supernatural characters and romance really well, I just think prehaps their fluency of pace and and plot could do with abit more polishing and refinement. Im hopeful its just these 2 books, and want to keep trying as there's elements of their work I absolutely love and really hits the spot!
I'd recommend the book but would caution that if you're quite keyed into the above issues you may find the latter half of this book and others abit challenging or frustrating.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The previous Roxie Ray stand alone books I’ve read are like Sandra Bullock RomComs. Cursed with Benefits is more like theater in the round, wherein all the action happens on a small stage with very little in the way of scene changes. (although they do eventually leave the house ;-)

Nadia is my kind of spicy, only with better fashion sense, or maybe the fashion sense I would have if I had more money and cooler thrift stores. "If this was ever made into a true crime podcast, I hoped the theme music fucking slapped." (Nadia while exploring the mansion)

Nadia and Cristian have the other kind of spicy, the (not third grade science) chemistry kind.

Christian is a grump, but who wouldn't be after a couple hundred years in a coffin?

This tale is full of cool consent and cozy co-regulation, witty banter and healthy boundaries, a twist I am kicking myself in the heine for not predicting, a prediction I was semi-correct about but in a happy to be wrong way, a believable (in-universe) climax and...

Roxie Ray bringing it once more with feeling.

I read this in two sittings, but only because I was so tired I literally couldn't focus on the letters on the page anymore the first night. In other words - read it, read it, read it!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing to read. In Roxie Ray fashion it had the perfect combination of banter and tension and romance. It was a great story. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I was finished. I read it straight through. I had to know where this story was going. The intensity present between Nadia and Cristian was obvious from their first meeting and the connection only grew. Their interactions were sassy and funny, sweet and hot. Nadia is one seriously hilarious FMC. And Cristian is seriously…well serious. But for Nadia he changes. Cristian wasn’t used to feeling as deeply or intensely as he did when it came to Nadia. And that made he afraid. Nadia was determined to keep the new life she found in this place. The way things develop takes a path that is wholly unique to this story and this author. Roxie Ray has a manner of writing that feels realistic and keeps you invested in the story. This book takes you on an emotional journey culminating in such a way that leaves you feeling satisfied after you’re not so sure what’s going to become of people. The ending is precisely what these two characters needed. The dedication and devotion, and proclamations, were utterly delicious. I will never regret reading a Roxie Ray book.

[Mina Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hot and sweet paranormal romance follows Nadia Yates, a neuro spicy third grade teacher that is in between jobs and in active therapy. Wanting her summer to act as a healing journey, she nonetheless takes on a sidegig as a housesitter to pay the bills. While exploring the massive house, along with her moral support wine, she accidentially awakens Christian, a vampire put into stasis in 1650. A magical bond between them immediately snaps into place, and needless to say, the summer suddenly becomes complicated. And sometimes hillarious.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the ease and respect with which Roxie Ray effortlessly ties in neurodiverse struggles. They fit into the narrative seamlessly, and adds to the characters rather the distract from them. In this case it made the story better, and Nadia relatable. The books has laughs, love and spice, and some decently dastardly villains, plus a champion best friend with wit and courage. As for Christian, this well spoken vampire hero just has to be experienced. The last few chapters were definitely page turners, and the ending so, so satisfying. 7.5 out of 10. Would recommend, and read again 👌.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

DEF- And it is very rare that I do not finish a book - I usually have to read to the end just to know how it finishes. I was determined to do this at around 30% through, but by the time I hit 42% I was DONE.

I loved the concept of a modern woman waking up a 16th century vampire and the turmoil this caused. If it had lived up to its concept it would definitely have earned five stars.

Unfortunately it didn’t. The writing was good and there was some humour in the book, but I couldn’t cope with finishing it - it just felt like pulling teeth. Part of it was the daily affirmations and some were awesome like the ‘eat breakfast like a regular functioning adult’ or words to that effect. Others, just nope.

I have ADHD and could recognise some of the issues that the female protagonist experienced and I did like how Christian saw her self worth, even when she didn’t. However, all the repeating of the crappy daily affirmations seriously annoyed me. I don’t know if this is more of an American thing than a British, but it was seriously annoying - so although I wanted to see it through to the end, I just couldn’t.

It got two stars because it did have promise and there were some bits I enjoyed … but there was so much more the author could achieve

[Meghan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet.

The FMC Nadia is relatable and likeable through her journey to be more loving and compassionate to herself. The descriptions of her quirky style and hilarious banter made me want to crawl into this book and become her second bestie because I'm pretty sure Lena would football tackle me to keep her BFF spot.

Christian is a grumpy MMC but, to be frank, I'd also be grumpy waking up from a 300+ year nap that I never wanted to take. What I can say is we LOVE a consent king and Christian is ALL about enthusiastic consent. It's a medium(ish) burn and the yearning is delicious.

This was an easy, satisfying, and quick read that left me smiling. The plot was interesting - the twists were fairly predictable, but that happens with most books for me. I didn't want to stop reading because I really wanted more and needed to see what would happen next. Definitely the kind of book that I'll send to my book bestie as a "put this next on your TBR, you will thank me" recommendation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually one to read Vampire Romances, but I do love a good Rom-Com, so I picked Cursed with Benefits up. I didn’t think it was very funny, but the romance was strong, with depth and emotion.
I liked the enforced proximity, the bond between Nadia and Cristian was a great conflict. The idea of house sitting for the summer was great, and I would have liked to see the house’s personality continue to develop.
Nadia is quirky, and determined to make this vacation A Summer for Healing, but her determination soon became an obsession, and the humor was lost on me.
Cristian had his humorous moments, especially when he had Alexa teach him how to swear. But his character shined as he grew to love Nadia. I loved the chapters from his point of view. He adored Nadia, and clearly wanted her to be happy.
I had trouble believing that Ezra, a computer geek, could tap into the bonds and spells cast by the supernaturals. I liked the reunion of Cassian and Cristian. Finally, the epilogue was strange and didn’t seem to fit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This supernatural rom-com is a sweet, steamy, and truly magical escape—a witty and heart-warming read that hits the sweet spot for a low-stakes, high-heat romance that will leave you grinning.

The central couple is utterly captivating.

Nadia and Christian are a perfectly matched couple you'll instantly adore and root for, thanks to their undeniable chemistry and mounting tension. Nadia is refreshingly relatable, characterised by her sarcastic wit and human vulnerabilities. She is the ideal counterpoint to Christian, a deeply old-fashioned, brooding, and grumpy vampire. His declaration, “You undo every piece of control I have,” perfectly encapsulates their relationship's dynamic.

Christian provides consistent humour as he navigates the modern world and Nadia's strict guidelines. His transformation is both charming and endearing: he evolves from a gruff vampire into a fierce, technology-struggling protector who would do anything for Nadia. Crucially, he supports Nadia's true self, never attempting to diminish her unique spirit.

[JLH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a little thrown off for the reading this book. It was not like the previous book in the series. Was shocked that the house sitter goes into a room and find a coffin in the room and does not freak out like one would. Then there were other things like not shopping online to be inconspicuous versus taking our main character to the mall or to a very public place where he can buy clothes. Trying to figure out showing skin or not showing skin when you're from several centuries in the past versus present where a belly ring is acceptable. Little things like that made it frustrating when trying to get into the groove of the reed. Somehow these two main characters ended up to be two peas in the pod with all of their differences of the past and the present mixing and getting jumbled up into a mixing pot. Would love to read a revised version of this not sure if this is the definite final copy I received.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia is completely relatable with her insecurities and sarcastic sense of humor. She is perfectly balanced by the brooding, grumpy, and old-fashioned Christian. The chemistry and tension build throughout the story, and they become a couple easy to root for their happily ever after.

Watching Christian navigate the modern world—and Nadia’s rules—is hilarious. His transition from a gruff vampire to a fierce protector who would do anything for Nadia (as well as his battles with modern technology) was charming and endearing. I loved how he encourages Nadia to be who she is and never diminishes her light.

The story is a magical, witty, and heartwarming escape with all the sizzle of a paranormal romance without losing the cozy, lighthearted energy of a rom-com. Perfect for anyone looking for a low-stakes, high-heat romance that will leave a smile on your face.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute paranormal rom com, in all the good ways! Nadia and Christian are from totally different worlds, he is a vampire - she is a human, he is centuries old - she is young and still defining herself, he is grumpy and proper - she is sunshine and a bit chaotic. But fate puts them together, attraction blooms and the banter explodes. HE restrains in his propriety in his age, she rebels in her youth, but her humour, her zest for life makes her irresistible for him. There are twists to the story, but it is the depth of understanding on what they are, in building something lasting. The story shows how she grows through their time together, and how he softens to understand their reality.

This is a book for your TBR list!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claire Stewart-wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delight to read a female lead who has the same quirks as me. Nadia needs the summer to heal, what better place to do so in slighlt gothic mansion with a few hidden rooms and weird noises all old house make.
She has spent alot of her life changing who she is trying to fit in to not be too much, already started on a journey to accepting that it is OK to be different she stumbles upon Christian, a vampire out of time, and a magic bond that make them gravitate to each other. And the true healing and acceptance unfolds. But the journey is never easy, throw in a brother who betrayed, a best friend and a geek to help them stand against the Sovereign Court, why would the Summer be straightforward ?
I throughly enjoyed this tale of quirks, humour, healing and acceptance.

[Michelle N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you are house sitting for the summer and on the first night you accidentally awaken a four-hundred-year-old vampire, who you are now bound to? If you are school teacher Nadia, you make the best of it and kind of pretend it isn’t happening. If you are Cristian, the vampire, you spend a lot of your time confused and trying to figure out the woman who released you.
This is another charming and fun paranormal romance from Roxie Ray. As with many of her more recent releases this book does not have the dark intensity of the earlier shifter series. While there are serious themes and a neurodivergent MFC, there is humor and lightheartedness that is often missing in paranormal novels.
I enjoyed the story and the path Cristian and Nadia took to finding each other.

[Kristey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Roxie Ray book yet!! I’ve read almost their entire collection and this one was *chef’s kiss*. I loved the character development and how the story kept my attention the entire time. You could really feel the emotion for Nadia and Cristian in each of their chapters. Sometimes when I’ve read vampire stories, it can seem like they are unfeeling and that was not the case with Cristian. He had such deep emotion and I loved every minute of it.
I felt so understood with the tendencies that Nadia had with her self talk and need for healing. She was beautiful and I hope all our neurospicy people feel represented well with her. Great book!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introducing a vampire to the modern world

A brilliantly fun vampire romance, with plenty of humor, banter, 1600 England meets modern America, a newly woken, grumpy vampire and a woman with ADHD and guidelines for life (I love her reminders to herself), friendship, betrayal and unexpected love.

The chemistry between Nadia and Christian is wonderfully sweet. Nadia thought she was spending the summer house-sitting a rather creepy mansion and it was fun when she found Christian and accidentally woke him. But the waking bit was easy, it's introducing him to the modern world and teaching him how to navigate in it that is more of an issue, with plenty of humor and healing along the way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, LMAO , incredible dialogue

Cristian was put into stasis (vampire sleep) in 1650 and awakened by accident in 2025. It’s a fish out of water story. Hysterical every time he gets introduced to modern times. The dialogue is just so quirky good. Nadia is a neurodiverse individual coping with ADHD and the baggage it causes. So Nadia and the grumpy vampire together are hysterical but also the yingyang to each other. Two individuals that help each other. You will meet Lena the fiesty bestie, nurse with her own wacky shtick and Ezra the nerdy tech geek. The story is romantic and some of Cristian’s dialogue is poetry. It’s a story or reawakening to love and the willingness to sacrifice for those you love. Of course the end is a HEA. Wish there was more to this story.

[rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy paranormal stories every now and then, but this one really surprised me with just how much I loved it. Nadia and Cristian completely won me over—their connection, the intrigue, the humor, the ADHD FMC representation, and yes, the spice. Everything just worked. The author balanced all those layers so well that each one added depth without overshadowing the others.
Cristian is the kind of gentlemanly vampire you can’t help but fall for—just like Nadia did. The whole story left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a big smile on my face.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed with Benefits was chaos in all the best ways. Cristian and Nadia are the epitome of a grumpy sunshine pairing, Cristian is a grumpy vampire woken after hundreds of years for forced sleep and Nadia is the ball of sunshine and energy, who just happened to wake Cristian and now they are magically bonded. The relationship that develops between them is a perfect, there are these moments that feel like a warm hug and then the next you are rolling your eyes and trying not to laugh. And shout out out to Lena, who is the perfect side character and someone I hope gets her own book. Between the forced proximity trope and rom-com vibes, this book was a great read.

[Kathryn Watters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that the character has ADD and that she crochets. As a mother of a child with ADD I found most of her actions so spot on. Real teachers should be more like her. As for the vampire, who wouldn't be grumpy after 400 years in a coffin? But they complemented each other and the story had just enough twists to keep the story interesting without reading becoming a chore. And when he told her that she wasn't too much - other people were not enough - I almost swooned.

Oh, and I had to immediately look up crochet ghost bunny patterns on Pinterest.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, the banter in this book is so amazing from everyone. I laughed so hard I cried several times. I love how vampires weren't a taboo or "what is that?" sort of thing. It didn't bother anyone, and that made it easier to get into the story. I loved Cristian's view and his trying to be normal after missing so much life. As a woman who has anxiety, adhd, and ocd, I really understood Nadia. I also am a teacher, so I know how she felt while at school. Overall, great book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, I loved the ADHD representation. The conversations Nadia had with herself, reminding her that she was enough, she could take up space, she didn’t need to apologise for being herself. It made me feel seen.

I enjoyed the built relationship between Nadia and Cristian. That they had this unspoken language of touch for reassurance. The efforts he made to update from 1600’s England to modern day America. Cristian, Ezra, Ambrosia etc gave me “what we do in the shadows” comedy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was an ok for me

Cristian and Nadia’s story was ok. I kept reading cause I had to know what happened but I did find the therapy, post it notes, daily mantras and anxiety freak outs a bit much.
The spicy scenes were good though. The conflict was built up but the climax of it all fell kinda flat for me.
I do like how it ended. Although the dialog between her co-teachers was repetitive and a bit forced. Could have been a bit smoother there but with all the anxiety she experienced I suppose I’m not surprised.