The Hands That Treat

The Oubre Sisters #1

by Kristen H. Casey

Magic. Murder. And a friends-to-lovers romance that burns hotter than a New Orleans summer.

The Hands That Treat is a paranormal romance that feels like the cult movie, Practical Magic, but set in a spell-binding, hurricane drunk New Orleans. This spicy, slow burn follows Ophelia Oubre, a magical healer in her 30s, on a journey to identify the serial killer haunting her family and friends. Her search for answers is revealed when she learns how to trust herself and accepts the help of an unsuspecting friend.

Ophelia lives unaware of the mystical world that simmers beneath the cracked streets and soddened earth of the Crescent City. The mysteries and magical gifts of her community are unveiled by her grandmother when Ophelia assumes the role as her family’s next Traiteur. Derived from the French word traiter (“to treat”), Traiteurs are Cajun healers with the unique ability to heal ailments through magic.

Once she embraces her treating gift, an exciting and enchanting world opens to Ophelia, and she is quick to embrace it. But darkness lurks. Ophelia is shaken when a serial killer begins murdering citizens at random, leaving behind cryptic messages written in blood. She has the distinct feeling that she's somehow connected to the murders.

Ophelia must uncover her relation to the murders, but she’s faced with obstacles and dead ends at every turn. Her journey to truth leads her through painful heartache, mind-numbing lust and a love she’s never known before.

The Hands That Treat was inspired by the Author’s late relative who was a Traiteur in Oakdale, Louisiana. This book was written as part of a planned series that follows the three Oubre sisters through otherworldly adventures in a supernatural New Orleans.

The Hands That Treat is perfect for fans of Bride by Ali Hazelwood and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab.

Genres: Romance

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

Kristen H. Casey, a debut author with a passion for romance, is a fifth-generation Cajun who has lived in Louisiana for most of her life and graduated from Louisiana State University in Mass Communication.

Her love and heartbreak for the swampy place are evident in her writing. To escape the onslaught of hurricanes and flooding, she moved her family in 2022 from New Orleans to the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kristen honed her writing skills through a decade and a half of creative marketing strategy at agencies, in-house marketing and classes at the New Orleans Writers Workshop.

She lives happily with her husband, daughter and corgi.

Reviews

[gracemoodreads]

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

The FMC is a healer. And there's mystery. Sign me up!

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was able to read it through NetGalley and love it !!


The start of the book all I could think of is the importance of the tiger. Once the meaning of the tiger was revealed, I liked how it was Ophelia’s protector especially during the incident in NY. It was way of showing Ophelia her own strength during that moment and looking out for her or warning her.

Just like Ophelia wondered, I also wanted to know why the tiger reappeared and if her attack and the series of murders were related. As the story went on it was interesting to see how the tiger played a role in it.

Ew Ben, why??? that’s all I’m going to say. I have a bad feeling about Mateo, something is off about him.

The book brought me on a journey with Ophelia as she navigates this new part of her life as a traiteur. It had me trying to figure out how all the murders were connected and if her or her friends abilities could solve who the serial killer is and why. I liked how the book showed the power of family and friendship. Jo is a badass and so is E.

Overall I enjoyed this book! The ending does make me wonder if there is going to be a sequel since i need to know who the cutthroat killer is and what is going to happen next.

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Kristen H Casey and Netgalley for the ARC!

The Hands That Treat is a wonderful debut novel with magic, mystery, thriller, romance and more. I really enjoyed stepping into this version of New Orleans and Louisiana, it was encompassing, fantastical and was clearly written from a place of love. I was fully engaged in this story and couldn't wait to read what came next.

I was pleased to be right about the "who done it" part but also felt like there were enough alternatives to keep me wondering.

I would really love to listen to an audiobook edition of this, to hear the accents and pronunciations of everything. I also think this would make a fantastic TV show.

I look forward to what comes next!

[Heather Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Hands That Treat completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. It had everything I love in a book—suspense, mystery, romance, and just the right amount of spice woven beautifully into the story. Every chapter left me wanting to know more, and I found myself constantly thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading.

Etienne absolutely stole the show for me. He was intriguing, protective, complex, and impossible not to fall for. The chemistry between Ophelia and Etienne was electric, and their relationship unfolded in a way that kept me fully invested from beginning to end.

What I loved most was how the mystery and suspense balanced perfectly with the romance. The twists kept me guessing, while the emotional connection between the characters kept me turning pages late into the night.

And that ending? I am not okay. It left me desperate for more of Ophelia and Etienne’s story. There are still so many things I want to know, and I would happily read several more books centered around these two characters.

If you’re looking for a novel that delivers intrigue, tension, romance, and spice without sacrificing a great story, The Hands That Treat is one I highly recommend. It was an easy five-star read for me, and I’m already hoping there will be more to come from Ophelia and Etienne.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. Kristen H. Casey did an incredible job of transporting me straight into the heart of New Orleans. The atmosphere was so vivid, I could practically feel it. It made me want to go!

Ophelia is such a beautifully written, relatable main character. She had me laughing out loud, crying, and cheering her on the entire way. The romance is top-tier; the sexy scenes are incredibly hot and filled with genuine emotion. What really sets this apart from other romances, though, is the creative and unique magical elements woven into an otherwise realistic world. It’s fresh, fun, and entirely original.

I’m officially hooked and cannot wait for the sequel! Highly recommend!

[Amber-thereadingrushmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hands That Treat hooked me with its New Orleans gothic atmosphere, magical realism, and blend of romance and murder mystery.
I loved the Traiteur healing magic, the voodoo elements, the tiger spirit protector, and the way Ophelia’s magical awakening unfolded alongside the serial killer investigation. The setting was one of the strongest parts for me with botanicals, old mansions, costume parties, family magic, and that mysterious New Orleans undercurrent.
The romance also kept things interesting with the love triangle between the hot doctor and the bar bad boy. I liked how the mystery and romance were intertwined, even if some parts were very predictable. I guessed the killer pretty early, so there weren’t as many surprises as I wanted.
My main issue was the pacing. The book felt a little long-winded at times and could have moved faster, especially with three major plots happening at once: Ophelia finding her magic, the serial killer mystery, and the slow-burn romance. That said, I did enjoy that the slow burn paid off with some spicy chapters toward the end.
Still, I really enjoyed the world, the magic, and the ending setup. I’m interested to see where this series goes next. Thank you to The Author Agency for a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Erin Duplechain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. As a Cajun and Louisiana native, I connected with this story in so many ways. The portrayal of healers and magic felt authentic and closely reflected how these traditions are viewed within our culture. While we may not be able to heal stab wounds in real life, I was more than willing to suspend disbelief for E.

The character and story development were engaging and relatable throughout. I found Ophelia’s struggles with anxiety and depression easy to understand, and her friends’ reactions to her challenges felt realistic and genuine. The reveal of her sister’s gift completely caught me off guard—I wasn’t expecting that particular power at all—but the strong friendships in the story more than made up for my surprise.

The romance between Ophelia and E was spicy, to say the least, and their relationship developed in a way that kept me invested. The plot twist at the end was perfectly timed and genuinely unexpected, making for a satisfying conclusion. Overall, this was an enjoyable and memorable read that I would definitely recommend.

[bookendsandtwins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from the New Orleans area, I hesitate to read book set in the city because rarely do authors capture the essence of New Orleans. Casey did a great job at capturing the magic and mysticism of such a special place. If you like magic, mystery, and badass women, this book is for you. I wanted a little more spice, but other than that, it was a great read and I can’t wait for the sequel. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚; 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

I truly loved this book. It was so easy to fall in love with our main character, Ophelia, and the relationships around her.

Touched on some dark topics but it doesn’t feel like an overly heavy book. The trauma and pain was so well balanced with humour, magic, fun, mystery, romance and top tier spice. Etienne is out here proving that the best men are written by women!

I did figure out who the murderer was (or one of them I should say!), but the reveal was still glorious and had me on the edge of my seat. This was gripping from start to finish, and I’m already impatient for the sequel.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGally for an advance copy.

The Hands That Treat has a vivid sense of place, and is easily the greatest strength of the book. The swampy, sweaty New Olreans atmosphere is well rendered, that it almost becomes a character of its own. The author captures the city’s magic.

That said, there are several story choices that kept me from fully connecting with the characters or the romance.

1. The casualness around killing Mateo felt unsettling. Even though he was a piece of crap, and was undeniably awful, the lack of emotional fallout or consequence made the moment wrong! When Ophelia gets her magic she cries for days, sees her grandmother dead, can’t come out of it. Kills a man, goes on like she does it everyday and it’s no big deal. Panic attack for reading a police file, but killing a man with magic totally legit and doesn’t feel a thing. Neither Ophelia nor her sister ever truly grapples with what they did, and the story moves on as if it were a minor inconvenience. It unintentionally made them feel more like him.
2. Etinne’s (also, not a fan of his name), behaviour didn’t align with the story’s claims about him. If he truly loved Ophelia from the moment they met at LSU, and if he knew she was in peril being with Mateo, it’s so hard to believe he would have allowed and been okay with her going into the bathtub with Mateo. His inaction undermined the romance for me. Instead of feeling protective or devoted, he felt passive, and made their love story fall flat. He knew Mateo was dangerous, but all he said was talk to Jade. Dude, come on!
3. This leads me to point three, the friends-to-lovers arc wasn’t convincing. There wasn’t enough interaction between the two in the first part of the book to sell the emotional shift. The explanation, that Ben was in love with her didn’t feel strong enough to justify the distance. As a result, the transtition from friends to something more lacked the slow burn tension the book promised.
4. The unresolved killer plot line was a MAJOR lose end. Not revealing all the killers (only the cousin who killed his grandmother, and that he had alibis and wasn’t the killer of the others). Even if the series will continue with the other sisters, this book’s central mystery needed closure. The ending felt rushed, and leaving such a big thread dangling weakens the overall impact.
5. The romance scenes also didn’t feel believable. It was a little over the top, how many times are they going to talk about her squirting all over his face. Ok one time sure, but three times, and once was twice in one single sexual encounter. Also, the fact he made her orgasm 4 or 5 times in one sexual encounter was a lot. The eargasm, was kinda gross. Licking inside her ear cavity, was yuck. 🤮 all I could think of was how unsexy a wet Willy is.
6. Jade deserved more depth and was underdeveloped, serving mostly as a sounding board for Ophelia. Their friendship was one sided. Jade comes off as a plot device rather than a fully realized character.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the book, and won’t read any follow up books based on this first book. There is A LOT that this book attempts to deal with, magic, SA, death, romance, murder mystery that the book couldn’t even solve! There was a lot, and it comes it shows in the book. I’m not sure how the book got so many good reviews.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this story from The Author Agency and was so glad to receive it. I am always on the lookout for witchy reads, and I love that this one is rooted in Cajun spiritual tradition. It’s a cultural and practice that I am largely unfamiliar with but have always found interesting. Last year I read a non-fic on the subject and was excited to dive into a fictional novel about healing practices in Louisiana. The magical realism in this book is fantastic, clearly rooted in an actual healing practice people have benefited from, and the more fantastical elements felt entirely plausible. Ophelia’s experience of becoming a Traiteur felt true, and if it was it would be a wonderful thing. I really loved her spiritual protector.

The secondary characters were also fun, her Grandmother being my favorite. Her tumultuous dating life during the period of time in this book was entertaining. What was missing was more of the magic. I felt like there was a very slow start to the book, and some places where things became a little explanatory that could have been space used for more magical community building.

That said, the mystery that evolves linking various crimes throughout the narrative is engaging, dangerous, and with high stakes that keep raising for the main character. I was shocked by one turn, and another I was able to guess ahead of time but still enjoyed the reveal. This is a solid book and the ending was not quite a cliff-hanger but left the door open to more in the future. I’d be interested to read a sequel.

A note on the “spice” content:
We all know this isn’t my jam, and I never include this in my rating of a book. I go into these books knowing I will skip those scenes and am not the right reader to evaluate them. That said, I wish there had been less graphic “open door” depictions of intimacy. It became very descriptive very quickly, but it was easy enough to skip. That said, these explicit scenes seemed to be tied closely to the evolution of her magic and it would have been cool to see the evolution of magical connectivity and emotional trust with a little more separation for those of us who skip the spice. I DO still recommend this because it didn’t seem like a huge chunk of the book was missing, the plot was solid without those scenes.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serial killer, hidden magic paranormal spicy romance set in New Orleans? Give it to me! The detailed depictions of metro NOLA neighborhoods, weather, food, and parties made me feel at home and relive the time I lived in Louisiana as if those memories were my own!

At first the story felt slow, so focused on the setting with Ophelia almost as a side character to NOLA, but as she learns her magic, the city and characters around her come alive with so much vibrant color and emotion.

Once I got into Part II, I couldn’t put the book down! Reading before bed, speeding up, one more chapter! It’s been a while since a book has kept me up well past my bedtime and made me need to write my thoughts down immediately. The slow burn friends to lovers romance is well worth the wait.

Kristen Casey crafted such tension as Ophelia came into her own and learned to trust her instincts. Throughout, I’m just screaming at her to listen to herself!! And when she does, the outcome is so satisfying.

This is a story about power, trust, takers/givers, women/men, strong women family/friends, home, and generational gifts. Masterful storytelling, and I can’t wait for the sequel. This story made me feel so energized by the suspense, mystery, mystics, and buzz of the city.

Readers who like mystical settings, hidden magic, serial killer mystery, and strong sisters will like this authentically told story.

Great debut novel! Thanks to NetGalley and Kristen Casey for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy!

[megan mien · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Magic. Murder. And a friends-to-lovers romance that burns hotter than a New Orleans summer."

Ya know? There was a content warning for this one mentioning explicit sexual content. And boy did it have my face feeling hot. So, if you're looking for a spicy friends-to-lovers... pick this one. Now, if you want that with some magic and a murder mystery, this is a 100% pick. It delivers exactly what it promises.

It was interesting reading something based in New Orleans. It's much more common to land something solely based in NYC.

And the murders kept me on my toes the whole time. I was surprised at the reveal. It honestly could have gone so many directions.

I really liked the characters, and how they all had their own personalities (even the more minor ones) and each uniquely added to the storyline.

The concept of this story, too, really stood out to me. I loved that Ophelia had her own protector that she could rely on and that she was embedded into the community. And I loved that she grew so much as a character, really coming into the Traiteur role.

My only qualm was that it felt kind of long at times, even if it wasn't necessarily. Good pacing, but sometimes I felt tired of reading it. Almost like it was endless, but it wrapped up perfectly. There is a lot of emotion packed into this book, and it feels like you're on a rollercoaster.

thank you to netgalley for the earc!

[Rebecca Mechanic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cajun Queen, Kristen Casey, has been crowned with her debut novel! From the very first page, this novel pulled me into a world where secrets linger in the shadows and love flickers like candlelight against the dark. Blending mystery, romance, and just the right touch of magic, it delivers a story that feels both enchanting and emotionally grounded.

The mystery at the heart of the plot is genuinely gripping—full of clever twists and slow-burning tension. Every clue feels intentional, every reveal satisfying.

At the same time, the romance is beautifully developed. It’s not rushed or overly idealized; instead, it unfolds naturally through shared danger, quiet vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry with a smattering of perfectly written smut.

And then there’s the magic—subtle, atmospheric, but as heavy and present as a humid New Orleans summer. It never overwhelms the story but instead enhances it, adding a layer of wonder and symbolism that elevates both the suspense and the romance.

The writing is immersive and evocative, painting vivid scenes without slowing the pace. By the final chapter, I was completely invested leaving me hungry for the next book in the series. The open ending left me wondering not just how the mystery will resolve, but in the fate of the characters themselves.

A perfect read for anyone who loves a twisted murder, a heartfelt love story, and a hint of the supernatural. Absolutely deserving of five stars.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hands That Treat, book one of the Oubre Sisters, written by Kristen H. Casey, is a paranormal romance that explores inherited cultural traditions and the burden of hidden supernatural gifts.

This slow-burn follows Ophelia Oubre, a fifth-generation Cajun woman who returns to New Orleans to lead a nonprofit organization. Her life is upended by the sudden murder of her neighbor, Delphine, which serves as a way to reconnect with her grandmother, a Traiteur - a traditional community healer. The book delves into the history of these healers and how they serve rural communities through prayer and folk medicine when modern healthcare is not available.

As Ophelia navigates her transition into the role of a Traiteur, she must confront the tension between her secular, modern life and the ancient, spiritual world she is inheriting. She also investigates mysterious deaths in her community. She struggles with the strength to move forward until she bridges the gap between her past trauma and her future potential.

I adored the rich, layered storytelling and the magical world steeped in culture. I love that the story serves as a reminder that the path toward healing often requires the bravery to look into the darkness and define one’s own light. I look forward to the next book and reading more by this author.

Thanks to Kristen H. Casey for gifting me an eARC of The Hands That Treat. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Annabel Pickard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one, the ideas were fantastic; the subtle magical abilities, gifts being passed on, the vibrant New Orleans setting and a friends to lovers romance? Sign me up!

There was just something a little fragmented in the storytelling. We pretty much opened with a murder and the news that this was the work of a serial killer, but this storyline along with others seemed to fall to the background, only to pop up dramatically at certain points with Ophelia temporarily determined to solve it…before she gets distracted. We get back to the murder around 90% in after some very spicy chapters (I love a bit of spice but these kind of felt a little shoehorned in?), the murderer is revealed in part and Ophelia gets some kind of closure and happy ending.

I also feel like I have more questions; was the significance of Mateo purely to allow Ophelia to make the link between the cross necklace and the murders? Is there more to her Tiger protector and her ancestor’s gifts?

This being said, I really enjoyed reading The Hands That Treat. The chapters where Ophelia was being taught her Traiteur skills by her Mawmaw made me think fondly of the relationship with my own grandma and I really loved them both as characters.

I would definitely read the next instalment of the Oubre sisters.

[Jenni | The_BookishBrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one because the premise had so much potential, magical family gifts, a moody New Orleans atmosphere, murder mystery elements, and a friends-to-lovers romance? That should’ve been an easy win for me.

Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t fully land. The writing leaned very heavy on exposition and detailed descriptions, to the point where it slowed the pacing down a lot. I felt like I learned every detail about objects, places, and backstory before I ever really connected to Ophelia as a person. Instead of feeling immersed, I found myself disconnected and struggling to stay engaged.

The story also felt a little fragmented at times. The serial killer plotline starts strong, but it fades into the background for large portions of the book before suddenly becoming important again near the end. There were several interesting ideas introduced that never felt fully explored, which left me with more questions than answers by the final chapter.

That said, there were parts I genuinely enjoyed. The New Orleans setting had a unique charm, the family/generational gift aspect was intriguing, and some of the quieter moments with Ophelia learning about her abilities were the strongest parts of the story for me. I can absolutely see why this book would work for other readers, it just ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me.

[Shanice Rouhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC & ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I would rate this story 4⭐️

This story follows Ophelia as she navigates learning not only about magic but becoming the healer in the family. She is thrown into a number of traumatising situations throughout the story both past and present, which she dealt with in her own way. I liked the pacing of this story, there wasn’t a lot of unnecessary filler chapters, with the story spanning over the course of about 6months. There is some magical coercion of a se*ual nature, please read trigger warnings.

Ophelia was a very sassy and free spirit. While she was taken aback by the learning of magic being real, she truly did take it in stride. She was open to learning from her peers as well as her grandmother. She also was very intuitive, she trusted her gut instincts on let it guide her.

I’m thinking that because the story left us with with some major questions and we only got a glimpse of Ophelia and Etienne’s relationship, that perhaps this isn’t a stand alone book. I’m going to be honest, I struggle with books written in third person, most times it’s enough to make me DNF pretty quickly. However because this was an ARC I felt that I needed to put my dislike for third person writing aside to read the story. I’m glad I did, as I truly did like the concept and content!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy from NetGalley

This book absolutely hooked me.

This is one of those “just one more chapter” books that turns into staying up way too late because you need to know what happens next. The character development is so strong that I was fully invested early on—and once I was in, I was in.

The story weaves together fantasy and murder mystery in a way that feels seamless. The stakes are high, the pacing is tight, and the twists kept me guessing the entire time.

One of my favorite elements was the magic system. As someone who reads a lot of fantasy, I really appreciated how clearly the logic was explained. The magic felt grounded, consistent, and believable within the world

And the romance?? 🔥🔥🔥 Just icing on the cake of an already incredible book.

Honestly, this book has everything: intrigue, magic, murder, twists, romance, and characters you care about. Highly, highly recommend.

I can’t wait for the sequel!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley & Kristen H. Casey for the ARC.

I love stories that embrace New Orleans as its own living character, full of magic and wonder. Kristen H. Casey continues that tradition and adds her own unique spin to the folklore that has built the city’s mystique.
The magical system is my favorite part of the book. The mix of traditional Catholic doctrines with the modern outside-the-church-setting beliefs is inspired.
Ophelia is a well-rounded modern woman, brought up in tradition and Catholic faith, living a modern life; her introduction to her grandmother’s Traiteur gifts, and magic in general, is believable and enjoyable to read.
Sassy grandmothers who tell it like it is, and have no shame are always my favorite characters.
My only problem with the book is the pacing. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast. It threw me out of the story a few times.
This was a wonderful debut, and I can’t wait to read more!

[Kalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hands that Treat takes urban fantasy romance and gives it a southern gothic twist. This story is one part magical discovery, one part murder mystery, and one part romance.

I found it to be very entertaining, and a good change of pace. Despite some of the darker themes, it didn't tread into Horror territory. I do think I would have appreciated a little more build-up of tension, especially in regards to the murder mystery plotline.

The New Orleans atmosphere felt genuine and immersive without being over-the-top. It really imbues the story with a great balance of real world and arcane atmosphere.

I prefer prose to be slightly flowery, so this very straight-forward style felt a little unpolished. However, I can chalk that up to mostly being a personal preference.

Overall, this was a refreshing setting and a gripping story that kept me turning pages. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy!

[Jalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hands That Treat created a good balance of healing, magic, murder mystery, and romance. It was interesting to learn about Traiteurs and how the practice shaped Ophelia’s character development. The romantic scenes later on in the novel were great and surprisingly spicer than I expected them to be. I was able to foresee certain aspects of the murder mystery plot twist at the end. I was a little disappointed because I think the book description (and necessary trigger warnings) left less to the imagination and possibilities of what could happen. Magic, murder, and romance in New Orleans always makes for an enjoyable read for me. I am curious about what is in store for the Oubre sisters and the magical community in the following books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Hands That Treat is expected to be published on June 23rd, 2026.

[Bari Mariani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency for the eARC of this book!

Tropes
Modern day setting
Friends to lovers
Slow burn
Paranormal
Murder mystery

I rounded up to a 4 but feel like I’m in between a 3.5-3.75.

Things I enjoyed
-The setting: I felt like I was in an episode of the Originals ( minus the vampires).
-Traiteurs and the way magic was displayed was unique and liked that there is actual history behind it.
-The murder mystery did keep me on my toes. I thought I knew who the bad guy was but the author threw in some curveballs.
-The slow burn- once that tension.. wow! What a man Etienne turned out to be 🔥🔥

Things I would like to see more of
-The three sisters together
-More Etienne
-Learn more about the magic in New Orleans

Something felt like it was missing for me and I can’t pinpoint what it is. Maybe I was hoping for more tension/drama/conflict?

Interested in seeing how the story develops in the coming books.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advanced copy of this book via NetGalley

Practical Magic and City of Beasts, but set in New Orleans!

Louisiana is arguably the most interesting state in the United States, at least in my opinion. The culture, food, people, and most importantly the power that flows through its veins are what sets it apart from the rest.

Ophelia Oubre grew up seeing her grandmother healing people's ailments and minor injuries thinking that this gift was just believing something into existence. Now grown up and back from New York, Ophelia has been thrust into world that she had long ago stopped believing could exist. While learning all about this magical existence horrifying murders are happening around town and Ophelia is beginning to connect the dots to something in her past.

A must read for all of us whose eyes never stopped searching for magic around us.

[prettysureannereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends a serial killer mystery, hidden magic, and a spicy friends to lovers romance set in New Orleans. The setting feels very real, with detailed scenes of the neighborhoods, food, and atmosphere that really pull you in. The beginning is a bit slow and focused more on the city than the main character, but it gets much better as her magic starts to grow. By the second half, it becomes hard to put down and the romance is worth the wait. The story keeps you guessing with the murders, and the reveal is surprising and well done. The characters all feel different and add something to the story, especially as Ophelia becomes stronger and learns to trust herself. There is a lot of emotion, tension, and spice, so it feels like a full mix of mystery and romance.

It can feel a bit long at times, but the ending ties everything together in a satisfying way. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Amanda M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This paranormal romance had me pulled in and hooked from the beginning. It gave off vibes like that of a cult classic kind of movie with the perfect blend of spice and slow burn. I loved the buildup in this. I also liked how the author wrote it with all the details in this that you could totally connect with everything going on in it. The characters were well written and demonstrated clear growth throughout the story. One other thing that I liked was the suspense with the twists. I felt like I kind of had an idea where things were going and then something else would come along and change course. And the ending was perfection. Definitely surprised me and it left room for more to come. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this. It is hands down a must read.

[Jen Chaffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Read this ARC thanks to NetGalley)

With magic and a protective spirit animal along with romance and mystery, this debut novel by Kristen H Casey hooked me quickly. I love books set in a place that authors are from because they write about them with such love and care, it makes me want to check out the place, and the Hands that Treat did that for NOLA. I enjoyed the characters in this book, the relationship between the sisters, along with Ophelia and her friends. They felt "real." A warning for some: the romance scenes are "hot!" but also aren't the whole book, the story was, and isn't that the point?

And now I kind of wish I had a traiteur to treat my aches and pains along with tiger watching out for me, too.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful debut novel with magic, romance and mystery!

I loved the writing and the premise of the story. The setting of the story was great to read, I’ve never read a book set in New Orleans and the author did a great job of capturing the magic of the city. The atmosphere and the mystery element of the book was written really well.

I did have some problems with the romance in the book, I think the friends to lovers aspect could have been fleshed out a little more.

3 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Merlyn Fereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say the 60% of the book was slow and boring. I was looking for more action. More drama. I like fast paced books alot. But after Delphine dies, the story started to slowwwwly pick up. Then the chemistry between E and Oph was kind of nice. I had my suspicions on Ben, Matteo and Jack.

I had my doubts more on Matteo than Jack later on because a magical person killing another would be foul. Also its rare seeing a book being based o Louisiana healers. It was very visual.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will quickly draw you in. It has mystery, thriller, and magic vibes, and wraps up with a romance too. There is a thread of magic that winds throughout the book. The FMC is a great character. I love reading along as she finds her strength and learns who she can truly rely on. The setting in New Orleans is the perfect backdrop for this well woven tale. Thanks to the author for an advance copy of this book.