If you plan on reading any book this fall, make sure it is this one. Bewitched with a crazy curses, second chances, and a town that has just about seen it all; The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, is a story that completely entranced me. From the characters to the plot, I couldn’t get enough of this story and am in desperate need for more!
Genres: Paranormal Romance, FantasyPublisher: Avon
Publication Date: September 8th 2021
Source: Library – Borrowed
Format: Audiobook / E-book
New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.
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. 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 to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.
“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”
This book was the absolute cutest most funniest romcom I have read in a really long time. I have never read anything by Rachel Hawkins/Erin Sterling and this book has sold me on her as an author. Filled with laugh out loud moments, witches with sass and a town that gives me HUGE Gilmore Girl vibes–The Ex Hex is the gem of the fall season. When I was deciding my October TBR I saw the author pitch this as, “Hocus Pocus but they fuck”. Never in my life have I raced to my library to place a hold faster. Unfortunately my hold went over into November before I was able to borrow it; but oh my gosh was this worth the wait! I was spellbound in the best ways possible by this story and am honestly contemplating a re-read after just finishing it–it was that deliciously delightful.
The story starts off with Vivienne who just got her heartbroken by her summer love, Rhys. Drunk and eating her sorrows in gallons of ice cream, Viv and her cousin Gwyn decide that the only way to heal a drunk witch’s heart is to curse the jerk. One extra vodka shot and a really cheap scented candle from Bath and Body Works later, the hex was done. Not thinking it worked, nine years goes by and Rhys is forced back to the small town of Graves Glen for their annual Founders Day celebration where he must recharge the ley lines. But when magic goes haywire upon his arrival, and near death experiences start stacking up–Rhys starts to think his plans of get in and get out wont be so easy after all, and Vivienne realizes exactly what her drunken hex can do.
These characters were the absolute best and a complete riot to read. Vivienne and Gwyn are complete badasses and I fell head over heels in love with them and their familial bond of sisterhood. No matter what happened, they were all their for each other (quipped with a sassy line here and there as well) and without hesitation was willing to do what it took to figure out how to break the curse. Now Rhys on the other hand, I fell hard for. He’s that goofy, fun-loving, easy-going guy that you can’t help but to love. A Native of Wales and the commander in chief in the field of Charm, Rhys had me both swooning and laughing hysterically with each page turn.
The chemistry and dynamic between Rhys and Vivienne was something so subtle yet so believable and strong that I couldn’t help but root for them. I love how both of them worked along side each other throughout the story, and neither of them skirted around owning up to their mistakes. Sterling’s comedic writing style paired so well with these two and she wasn’t lying in her pitch; this is indeed a steam filled hocus pocus. I could get enough of them not being able to get enough of each other. Needless to say I devoured this entire book in one sitting.
So, if you are looking to don your witch’s broom and cauldrons once more in the name of love, I super highly recommend you read this book. You will laugh, you will smile, you will reach for your pearls and wish you too had a Welsh witch in your neighborhood too.
I am happy to see that this one worked so well for you. I know many readers that have been loving the contents of this book.
Lovely review.
Well then, I think this might be an interesting read lmao. great review!