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The Official Blurb
“Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.
That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia, for what might be a second chance at romance. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.
Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry and work together in a classic case of forced proximity to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.”
Book: The Ex Hex
Author: Erin Sterling
Published: 2021
Genres: Paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic comedy
Tropes: Lovers to enemies to lovers, second-chance romance
Rating: 5 stars
Spice level: Jalapeño
The Main Characters
Vivienne “Vivi” Jones is a witch living in Graves Glen, Georgia, where she teaches history at the local college. She’s also a woman who, after a particularly unfortunate romantic experience, makes a decision involving alcohol, her cousin and a curse. What could possibly go wrong?
Rhys Penhallow is a Welsh witch from a long line of Penhallow witches. He runs a travel company and has a complicated history with Vivi. He’s also the man on the receiving end of a curse with some very specific consequences.
The Plot
Nine years before the main events of The Ex Hex, Vivi Jones spent a long, steamy summer with Rhys Penhallow. Things were going swimmingly until Rhys announced he was heading back to Wales. Oh, and he was betrothed to another witch.
Because apparently communicating important relationship information is optional in some magical families.
Understandably, Vivi was upset. After crying in a bathtub and drinking copious amounts of alcohol, she and her cousin Gwyn decided to curse the dickbag.
And this is where things get spectacular.
The curse is one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
They beseech the goddess to ensure Rhys never again darkens Vivi’s door nor her vagina, never again uses his dimples for evil against unsuspecting maidens, never again gets his hair to do that thing she likes, and forever believes the clitoris is approximately one-third of an inch away from its actual location.
I mean. If you’re going to curse an ex, why not make it count?
Nine years later, Halloween is approaching and Rhys’s father sends him back to Graves Glen to recharge the town’s ley lines. Apparently, the Penhallow family has been responsible for this little chore since the town’s founding. The exact schedule is a little fuzzy but we’ll go with it.
Naturally, Rhys and Vivi run into each other. And, naturally, the old curse and some additional magical shenanigans begin wreaking havoc on them and the town.
The former lovers must work together to figure out what’s happening, break the curse and put everything back in order. Along the way, there’s plenty of banter, magical mayhem, romantic tension and a few obstacles to getting these two back together.
You’ll have to read the book to find out how it all works out. I’m not spoiling the fun.
Spice Level: Jalapeño
This is a slow burn with a medium level of spice. There’s chemistry, tension and enough heat to keep things interesting, but the book isn’t wall-to-wall steam.
Honestly, it probably would’ve been spicier if they hadn’t kept getting cockblocked by a ghost.
Yes, really.
I’m not going to elaborate because part of the fun is discovering the magical nonsense for yourself.
Things I Loved
The Witchy Vibes
I’m a sucker for all things witchy, so this book was right up my alley. I loved the magic, the Halloween atmosphere and the way Graves Glen balances its tourist-friendly witchy aesthetic with the very real supernatural community underneath.
You’ve got the human side of town, where visitors can buy their witchy tchotchkes and enjoy the spooky atmosphere, and then you’ve got the actual witches doing actual witch things.
It’s the sort of place I’d happily visit.
The Humor
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. Sterling has a knack for a well-timed one-liner and the comedy works beautifully alongside the romance and magical chaos.
The curse alone deserves a standing ovation. It’s petty, creative and delightfully inappropriate. It’s also the sort of thing you might consider after a breakup, although I cannot officially recommend trying it at home.
One of my favorite quotables from the book is:
“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”
Words to live by, really.
Another excellent bit of advice?
“The best cure for anything is candles and a bath.”
Also words to live by.
Sir Percival the Cat
I love a magical cat and Sir Percival does not disappoint.
He belongs to Vivi’s cousin Gwyn and, when the curse magic takes over the town, he gets to participate in the chaos in a whole new way. His commentary is hilarious, especially because he’s not suddenly spouting profound philosophical wisdom. He’s still very much a cat.
Treats are important. Certain people deserve to be called names. Priorities remain intact.
Honestly, more talking cats in romance novels, please.
The Writing and Pacing
I really enjoyed Sterling’s writing. The pacing kept the story moving, the humor landed and the romantic tension had room to develop without dragging.
The magical plot gives the characters something to do beyond simply staring at each other and remembering how attractive they find each other. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a little staring and yearning as much as the next romance reader but I also appreciate a story with a bit of momentum.
The combination of romance, comedy and supernatural mayhem worked for me. I laughed, I enjoyed the characters and I wanted to keep listening.
The Dedication
Before the story even gets going, there’s a dedication which made me smile:
“To Sandra Brown, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught and Amanda Quick, the writers who made me want to be a romance novelist when I was twelve. It took thirty years, but I’m finally here!”
I love this.
Not only does Sterling name several romance authors who helped shape her love of the genre but she also acknowledges the long journey from dreaming about writing romance to becoming a published novelist. AND she listed some of my iconic faves: Deveraux, Garwood and McNaught. You can check out my reviews of their books and our related podcast episodes here:
- Jude Deveraux’s The Princess ~ Season 1 Episode 2: Playing House
- Julie Gardwood’s The Bride ~ Season 3 Episode 11: Meg’s Got a Mother of a Book
- Judith McNaught’s Until You ~ Season 3 Episode 10: In Bed with the Bookish Biddies
Challenges
I honestly didn’t have any challenges with this book. It was a fun romp from beginning to end and I enjoyed the writing, the characters, the comedy and the witchy atmosphere.
There were no significant sticking points for me. I was happy to go along for the ride and see what kind of magical trouble Vivi and Rhys would get themselves into next.
Final Thoughts
I gave The Ex Hex five stars on Goodreads.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable paranormal rom-com with witchy vibes, second chances, magical mayhem and a healthy dose of petty revenge. I loved the humor, the pacing and the way Sterling balanced the romance with the supernatural plot.
The characters were fun and the curse was spectacular.
If you enjoy witchy romances, Halloween settings and second-chance love stories; I’d recommend adding this one to your reading list.
Just remember: never mix vodka and witchcraft.
And if all else fails, light a candle and take a bath.
Where to Find the Book
Listen to the Episode
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the book, you can listen to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast streaming service. Or click here for our in-house podcast player.
Have you read The Ex Hex? Let me know your thoughts on this book in the comments!
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