This book was so freaking good! I loved the storyline, the characters (main and supporting), and the steamy romantic relationship. The writing was great and flowed really nicely. I loved Vivianne and her relationship with her family, all strong females with badass powers! The main characters had so much chemistry and the steam in this book was just right! I loved the ending and I can’t wait for another book! Can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this one, it’s a perfect fall read!

Thank you NetGalley, Erin Sterling, and William Morrow and Custom House/HarperCollins Publishers for sending me a free ARC copy of The Ex Hex in exchange for an honest review.

Where are all of my Halloweentown fans at?

Second chance romance meets SPOOKY SZN in this witchy tale. It is the perfect read to get you in the mood for fall; I highly recommend pairing it with a pumpkin scented candle and apple cider.

Three and a half stars. This was an enjoyable read, but I found myself wanting a little more from it. Viviane is a young witch who didn't learn about her magical family history until her mother died when she was a teen. I wanted more backstory, more emotions about that part of her life.

Vivi went to live with her aunt and cousin who are both witches, and has come into her own as a witch but is still tentative when it comes to using her powers. Now Rhys is back in her life, an ex who she may have accidentally cursed when she was nineteen. There are lots of funny moments and hot sexy times.

I loved the magical component, especially that Vivi's love interest in a witch as well. The setting of a small town with a secret witchy college is great. The story takes place over Halloween, which adds a lot to the paranormal vibe.

I didn't find the writing to be anything special, and the characters could have used more depth. But I appreciated the exploration of the importance of place, of connecting to where you're from and what happens when you don't have that.

Overall, it's a fun read and I recommend it for readers of romance.

Very cute tale filled with sweet and salty characters in this Halloween-ready romance of love lost and found. The witches in this tale are the lovable kind, even when they aren’t, and the frights really are kept at a minimum. There’s some torrid lovemaking that keeps this book out of the YA market, otherwise the book would be a crossover. This is a fun and fast book. For lovers of magical, witchy tales, THE EX HEX is a real pleasure. I can’t wait for the next in the series.I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Ex Hex is full of wishes, witches, magic, a second chance romance, and hexes gone wrong.

After a breakup, young witch Vivienne nursed her broken heart with bubble baths, vodka, and a curse on her horrible ex boyfriend. And yes Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic that way, but she isn’t worried and it wasn’t meant to do real harm…she used a Bath and Body works candle for crying out loud. So no harm done right? Cut to 9 years later when Rhys Penhallow, descendant of the town’s ancestors, and Vivi’s ex returns to Graves Glen, Georgia for the annual fall founder’s day celebration and to do a quick recharge to the town’s magical ley lines. One thing after another goes wrong and soon Vivi & Rhys realize her silly little “ex hex” may not have been so harmless after all… A curse gone wrong, murderous wind-up toys, magic gone haywire, a ghost, witches galore, haunted houses, and a talking cat!

I was excited for this book but it didn’t really live up to expectations sadly. It’s a second chance romance but I didn’t feel any connection between Vivi and Rhys. Perhaps if we had flashbacks or even spent time in the beginning of the book with their summer fling before they broke up. So even with them getting hot and steamy, it just didn’t do anything for me because I didn’t feel connected/care about their relationship. There are some fun and cute moments in the book, the talking cat and the kitschy-Halloween town they live in, but just like the romance it never went far enough for me. Even with the hex and all the magic gone wrong and trying to undo it all, this plot still seemed low-stakes to me and just not enough to keep my full attention. I did love that the hero was Welsh, that both the hero and heroine are witches, but I just wanted more from the plot, the town’s history, the characters, the magic. But if you’re in the mood for a light, witchy romcom that takes place in a very Halloween-loving town then this is your read!

Thank you to the publisher (William Morrow, Harper Collins) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. The Ex Hex will be out September 28, 2021.

When I was mentally writing this review, I planned on opening with some comment about how I've read so many of Rachel Hawkins' books, and I loved them all. When I fact checked this (thank goodness for Goodreads, despite its many flaws), I found that was not, in fact, the case. I've read maybe half of her YA, and I apparently did not really enjoy Hex Hall, her debut novel (Kate in the early 2010s was apparently a lot less picky about reading material - I gave the book two stars and I kept reading the series?! Who does that?).

Anyway, all of that is to say that I went in expecting to love this book, because my fickle memory told me I loved all of Rachel Hawkins' previous books, and luckily, my expectations held. I started The Ex Hex late on a Sunday night and stayed up absurdly late finishing it (mistakes were made, folks), because it really was adorable and fun and surprisingly, exactly what my brain had set me up to expect.

I have two quibbles. First of all - and maybe I'm being too picky here - the two main characters, Vivi and Rhys, spend an absurd amount of time thinking about how good it was when they were together at 19. Together as in, the physical aspect. And while I don't doubt that some people have amazing sex the minute they fall into bed with each other at 19, I would say it is not your typical experience, and honestly it kept grating at me, because it just felt so unrealistic. Emotions, I get. 19-year-olds are nothing if not emotional and full of dramatic moments (I would know, as I live with one). So everything else related to their feelings about their short relationship felt real. The second is that there were a few plot threads here and there that I didn't really feel added much, but that honestly isn't as big a deal as miraculously amazing sex at 19.

However, The Ex Hex has stellar banter, hot sexy-times and a bit of a witchy mystery, so overall I quite enjoyed it. Vivi and Rhys have amazing chemistry, and the only times I wasn't mad if they weren't on page together was if Vivi was talking with her cousin Gwen (who was an absolute delight). And not just Gwen, but nearly all of the secondary characters were great (and I know who I'm rooting for a book two to be about). The world building isn't the most thorough, but it was fleshed out enough that nothing was confusing. I felt like enough details about the magic and such were revealed to make whatever was happening make sense, but not much more than that. Besides, you're not reading this book for the magic (I feel like this would be a good place for some sort of pun, but I'm not good at that kind of thing so just imagine I said something witty in this parenthetical).

The Ex Hex is a lighthearted, fun book that I would definitely recommend you read as you get in the mood for Halloween.
**Review to be posted on Smexy Books closer to publication date**

I love, love, love this book!!! I read it one sitting. I love the magic system, the characters, the pacing, just everything. Everybody needs to pick up this book and read it!

This book was light and fun and it was exactly what I needed at that time. The MCs have great banter and I really enjoyed it. The book is moderately sexy with on page sex. The FMC is snarky to the MMC and I was here for it.

The magic was understandable to me as someone who watched Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Melissa Joan Hart) and Charmed (Alyssa Milano).

Overall, I enjoyed this book, was engaged in the story, and invested in the love story. I would read more in this series.

Fresh take on a paranormal rom-com. Clever, emotional and light romance with a nice magical subplot with a wink to taking down the patriarchy. A great fall read.

Read this one asap. I loved this so much! I am a sucker for spooky meets romance and this book delivered. There was so much to love! The atmosphere, the incredible writing, the characters! Be still my heart.

The Ex-Hex is a perfect second-chance romance romp in the witchy woods. It's full of supernatural hijinks, humor, and nonstop action mixed with a little bit of romance. Vivi and Rhys had perfect chemistry, and I love the cute small-town feel of Graves Glen along with the supporting characters. Loved this book, it's a perfect fall read to get you in the mood for some Halloween romance.

Thanks to #Netgalley for this ARC.

Never mix witchcraft and Vodka! After her heart is broken, Vivi Jones accidentally places a curse on her ex-boyfriend Rhys without knowing that it actually worked. When Rhys comes back to Vivi's town, they realize the curse was real and now the whole town could be destroyed because of it.

This is a fun second chance romance book with cool Halloweentown/Hocus Pocus vibes which are always perfect for this time of year! Vivi and Rhys are a great couple but they do fall in love a little faster than I would have thought. I love the way that Erin Sterling writes the town and sets up Graves Glen (I'm really hoping for a Gwen sequel!). This is such a good fall read and is coming out in perfect time for Halloween! If you are looking for a good witchy romance, this is definitely the book for you!

A big thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Erin Sterling for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved reading Vivi and Rhy's second-chance romance story. They had sexy chemistry and banter with a great mix of humor and heart. The writing was immediately engaging and was invested in this town and the two families. I can't wait for future books in this world. This is going to be one I reread when I'm looking for comfort, humor, and feels.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for making that happen.

This book is a wonderful witchy tale of love and adventure. Nine years after she had her heart broken, Vivi Jones finds out that the curse she cast actually came true. And her ex-boyfriend, Rhys, becomes the very center of a series of magical mishaps that plague her town. They team up together to try and stop the curse, and rekindle their relationship along the way.

I loved everything about this book. The relationship between Vivi and Rhys, the witchy things happening around town, and even the resolution. It was such a great read, especially as Halloween is quickly approaching. Watching them try to solve the mystery while avoiding their mounting attraction to each other was delicious and fun. I want more.

Excellent book from Erin Sterling. Full of witchy fun and a lot of heart.

Erin Sterling's The Ex Hex is a humorous second chance romance with a strong supernatural base. A young witch who came late into her powers jokingly curses her ex only to discover that her curse was real and may destroy her town if they don't find a way to reverse it.

Enjoyable though the heroine's dramatics and the hero's need to avoid conflict dampened my overall enthusiasm. The story starts out strong with a young woman with a broken heart who decides with the help of her cousin to curse her ex-boyfriend for his seeming duplicity. As the story progresses, we learn that ten years have past and the results of her curse manifests itself when her ex returns to the town. It's here we see that there are two sides to every story and her anger at him is understandable but childish to maintain for so long. . Not to say he's a shiny new penny but she isn't the only wounded party. As they both struggle to remove the curse while ignoring their feelings for one another, the breach between them begins to heal. I really liked her cousin along with the various silliness that was part of the curse which includes a mouthy cat.

Have you ever, in the worst moments of a bad breakup, wished awful things for your ex? What if you had the power to make them happen?

At 19, Vivienne is just learning about being a witch when she and her boyfriend Rhys break up. Nine years later, he is back in town, and he may have a curse on him. From her.

This is a spooky, steamy romance. It is great fun and a fast read. I really liked Vivi and Rhys, and her family is pretty amazing as well. This is a delightful book to get into the spirit of fall with caramel apples, pumpkins, and of course, witches and ghosts.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Honestly, this was EXACTLY what I wanted it to be and was so much fun. It was giving me Halloweentown, Caspar, Hocus Pocus vibes, with some delightful steaminess. Vivi and Rhys met nine years ago in the small town where she lives with her aunt and cousin, and which is named for his ancient ancestor who founded the town. Unfortunately, it ended in heartbreak when Rhys spilled the beans about his betrothal. Whoops. Nine years later, he's returning to repower the ley lines when things go awry and mysteries have to be solved.

It really was a perfect fall read. Not too angsty, which is not my favourite thing. The relationship development was really subtly and skillfully done, almost making it feel like it wasn't happening at all - which I mean in the best way! It mirrored how the characters themselves didn't really see it happening until BAM! they realize they're in love. There was a tiny bit of instalove since their relationship is mostly fueled by feelings that were kindled nearly a decade ago during a barely three month "fling," and while that's not usually my fave, I truly didn't mind it here because Vivi and Rhys were just so stinking adorable. I loved the banter, I love Vivi's aunt and cousin, I love the B-plot focus on women in history being erased or forgotten. I can see people feeling like the ending happens too quickly, and I admit when I got to that 95% mark, I was like, "how...?" But that last chapter? Chef's kiss perfection for me.

Honestly, this is the perfect fall read. It pairs wonderfully with snuggly blankets, lit candles, and a PSL. Vivi and Rhys are a delight, and I'm happy to recommend this to school staff. Witchy, entertaining, and magical!

A nice read! This feels a lot like a cozy mystery (small town setting, local shop owner, a festival going on) so much so that the two sex/love scenes are actually kind of jarring when they show up. Still, I enjoyed reading Vivi and Rhys's story so much that I was delighted to log in and read that it's "book 1". Bring on the rest of the Jones & Penhallows!

Honestly this was such a freaking delight.

Who hasn’t gotten drunk after a breakup and hoped to curse an ex with a Bath and Body Works candle? This was just so much fun and a good spooky season book for those of us who can’t handle scary. Rhys and Vivi had great chemistry and it was fun seeing them try to undo the curse together.

I enjoyed the small town feel to this one and would not be opposed to seeing more of these characters in the future. In fact, if I don’t get to hear more about Bowen, Wells, or Gwyn, I’m gonna be disappointed. Please don’t make this a standalone. My heart can’t take it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Erin Sterling/Rachel Hawkins, and HarperCollins for an ARC. My opinions are my own.