Vivi’s aunt had always told her never mix witchcraft with vodka. But nineteen-year-old Vivi and her cousin Gwen ignore that advice as they curse Rhys, the boy who broke Vivi’s heart and left to return to his home in Wales. They didn’t believe it was an actual curse, just letting off steam. Fast forward nine years and when Rhys returns to Graves Glen, the curse is activated and things quickly go wrong.

I had so much fun reading The Ex Hex. Vivi, her cousin and her aunt are witches, I really liked the family dynamics. Rhys was wonderful, so sweet but hiding behind a façade of being carefree and flippant. Having the dual POV of Rhys and Vivi made the story more enjoyable.

The pacing kept the story moving, there was never a dull moment. The story takes place in the weeks leading to Halloween, and the descriptions of the decorations and celebrations grounded the story. It wouldn’t have been the same at any other time of the year. I also liked the second chance love, and Vivi evolving from hating Rhys to realizing she loves him.

I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review

Drunk and heartbroken Vivienne Jones and her cousin cursed her first and horrible boyfriend. Not the best use of her spotty magic, but Vivi is sure that Rhys can live with a bad hair day or two. She finishes college and gets a job teaching at her alma mater in Graves Glen, Georgia, the perfect place to be a witch.

Nine years later Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, returns to recharge the town’s ley lines. It's a fast, in and out trip... until something goes disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. And the curse has spread from Rhys to the whole town. 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.

Why I started this book: Looked super cute on Netgalley. I love a good paranormal romance.

Why I finished it: Light and fluffy. This is a fun witch romance, that like candy corn isn't good all year long but hits the spot and puts you in the Halloween mood.

When Rhys broke her heart, Vivi and her cousin made the grave mistake of mixing witchcraft and vodka. The two cursed him as a joke and moved on with their lives. Except now Rhys has come back to town, and it appears he is very much cursed, and its changing the magic of the town as well. Will Vivi be able to reverse the curse she put on him before its too late?

Oh heyyyyyyy Hocus Pocus and Halloweentowns baby! Seriously this is such a fun fall read! It totally got me in the mood for fall, and if you know me at all you know I am a full blown summer loving girl! I saw someone say this book is “hocus pocus but thety fuck” and to be honest, not only do I LOVE that line, it was so true! This is the X-rated witch story you didn’t even know you needed! It was so different from other rom coms, I highly recommend it!

I’ve been a fan of Rachel Hawkins (writing here as Erin Sterling) for years, and her books never disappoint. When she described this book as “Hocus Pocus but they bang,” I knew I’d have to give it a try.

Luckily for me, this book was every bit as charming as I expected. Sterling describes fully realized, fun characters and employs lots of witty banter. I loved reading books about witches as a kid, but I’ve found that there aren’t a lot of fun, lighthearted witchy books for adults. But this book fills that hole in my reading life.

Vivi and Rhys have obvious chemistry and their relationship developed nicely. If you’re looking for a dreamy and laugh out loud romance to snuggle under a blanket with in the fall, this is a great choice.

This was a fun, witty, and atmospheric witchy read. I love this author so I was excited to see her make a foray into adult romance! I think when you set a story in the US south with ley lines and a Welsh connection, it's automatically going to bring The Raven Cycle to mind for a lot of readers, myself included. This is much more lighthearted than that. It's a very caper-y romance, which was a lot of fun and made for some great set pieces. I would have loved a little more emotional depth and character development, but if you're looking for something funny and a touch spooky, here it is.

A witty romcom mixed with witchcraft. The plot is a bit predictable but the well written characters make this book an easy and interesting read! I look forward to seeing any new adventures of Rhys and Vivi.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an early copy of “The Ex Hex”!

What and fun and super magical story! The Ex Hex is the perfect Fall/Halloween season read.
The book unfolds as Vivienne and her cousin are placing a hex on Rhys, her superhot summer romance, who just happens to be “betrothed”. What is the most important lesson to take away from the evening? Never mix vodka and witchcraft!
Did they or didn’t they hex Rhys?
Fast forward 9 years, Rhys is in town for Founder’s Day, and all sorts of bad things happen to him and the town. The story revolves around Rhys and Vivi working together to make things right.
Oh, and there’s sex because they are still hot for each other after 9 years.
I’m not into super scary Halloween books so this was right up my alley. I must admit it took me 3 tries to watch Hocus Pocus and am more of a Halloweentown girl. This book is the perfect combination of Halloween fun, witch magic and second chance romance.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and William Morrow/Custom House for sharing this eARC with me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars for this spellbinding read that will get you in the mood for fall and Halloween. This is the first book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed the wit that naturally comes through in her writing. The plot itself is fresh and interesting, and the characters are well developed and extremely likeable. And there's a talking black cat, so clearly, the book has a lot going for it. I will say that I wished the ending hadn't been so rushed. I was left feeling unsatisfied with the very quick resolution between Vivi and Rhys and would like to have seen more time spent on developing that part of the story. I also would have liked to see Simon's reaction to finding out the truth about what happened with Vivi's family, and maybe even some resolution in his relationship with Rhys; however, perhaps the author is planning for this to be the first in a series that will continue with Wells and Bowen, and if so, hopefully we'll see some of that play out in those books. Overall, this is a very enjoyable read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an ARC for review.

Come on.. witches...romance... curses....spells gone wrong, it's a recipe for a good read....

This was a cute, easy, fun rom-com.. If you are looking for an easy read to break that reading slump, this is the perfect book. It' is cute, it might make you giggle a little and you might wish you could cast a spell or two.

I though the writing was really good and I could picture the whole thing. This would make a really good Hallmark movie. So if you are the person who watches all of those Hallmark and Lifetime movies (especially the Christmas ones) this is the book for you. If you really dont like those kinds of movies, you might want to think twice before reading this.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

A spooky-witchy based rom-com is something I did not know I needed until now. The Ex Hex is a romantic, magical story that involves two exes that have to work together years after their initial breakup. Everything from ghosts, haunted houses, and talking animals make this story a great read. The chemistry and tension between the characters was by far the best part. I was rooting for them just after the first page of reunion.

This is a comedic, sexy, witchy romance book that is perfect for reading during those fall months and Halloween.

The Ex Hex is a sexy, magical tale of college exes reconnecting after a break=up hex goes awry. That's right, a hex, because Vivi and Rhys, the charming and captivating couple at the center of this winning book, are witches. Nine years after their break-up, the hex results in some wonky magic in the small college town where the book is set. Rhys and Vivi are forced back together to reset the hex and sparks fly. As well as ghosts, spells, magic candles, traveling stones and other practices of old-fashioned witchcraft. The pair is joined by a cousin and aunt and various other well-written side characters and I hope this is the beginning of a series. Perfect read for Romance and Witchcraft fans as Halloween approaches, the leaves fall and the nights gets spooky.

What a perfect witchy romance! This was so fun to read and gave me major Sabrina The Teenage Witch vibes! (the 90’s one) Rhys and his hair that does The Thing + his easy going attitude + ability to make jokes even in the most awkward situations made him totally lovable! While this book wasn't particularly smutty, there was enough steam to make things sexy and exciting. Vivi, her “coven” and a talking cat give the story so much character. Probably the best part of this book was the banter. Even the cat is snarky. I loved it.

Halloweentown meets rom-com? I did not know I needed this until it landed in my hands.

When Vivienne (Vivi) "curses" her ex after he breaks her heart, she believes it was a post-breakup ritual (much like crying in the bathtub). When he shows up in her hometown ten years later, that curse turns out to be very real.

I thought this book was very charming and I love second-chance romances. Any time fall festivals are mentioned, I'm freaking hooked. I docked a star because I felt that Vivi and Rhys (the ex, btw, who is also Welsh, a gigantic plus) needed to really sort through some things about their previous breakup. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed.

All in all, a very cute romance that will hit the feels for people who love cozy fall feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the first 70% of this book. The plot was great and there was good chemistry between the two main characters. I also loved Vivi's aunt and cousin! However, once after that bit it almost felt like too much attention was put on their physical relationship and I actually missed the story. It was still a fun book and I think it will be a great Halloween romance read!
Between 3 and four stars.

I received an ebook ARC from Netgalley for my honest review. I was enchanted by the cover and title. This was a fun and easy read. I don’t know much about witches, covens, spells, or tarot cards. Much of the magic mentioned in the book may be part of rituals. While the hex was the central theme, the romance between Rhys and Vive kept me reading. The descriptions of the store, Something Wicked, Rhys’s house, and the town were so well done, I felt like I was in them. The family relationships of the Jones and Penhallows are complex. Aunt Elaine is one of my favorites. I would recommend The Ex Hex especially in October near Halloween!

firstly, I think I need all future rom-coms to be witchy ones set in October. The vibes are immaculate.

Overall this is one was a really fun, charming romance that the author described as “Hocus Pocus but they fuck.” Don’t take that too literally and expect Hocus Pocus fan fiction, but the setting — fall in a small, quaint town called Graves Glen, where witches coexist (secretly) with regular people — is perfect.

Of course you expect any rom-com worth its weight to be a little cheesy, but I thought The Ex Hex was less so. The romance and banter is better than expected, even if some of the characters weren’t given much depth (I’m assuming they’ll be explored more in another book as it looks like this will be a series). It doesn’t require much suspension of belief — besides, ya know, the witchcraft thing.

My only real issue is that the plot kind of stagnates at some point — the central dilemma, an accidental curse on main character Rhys that’s wreaking havoc in the town, had a lot of opportunity to be an entertaining one full of magical hijinks, but instead there are just a few incidents. I just wanted more because the concept is so perfect!

It was also nice to read a romance that isn’t only about the romance. Having a developed storyline outside of the sex and relationship drama made The Ex Hex entertaining from start to finish. This would make such a good movie/tv show and I’ll cast my own spell to make it happen!

What a fun take on romance. This is perfect to add to your fall tbr! Witchy magic romance. Two MC that are easy to root for and hope for a HEA.

The Ex Hex is a fun, witchy rom-com with plenty of sexy and tons of fun. It honestly feels like Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown for adults. And I mean that in the best way. Vivi Jones cursed her ex-boyfriend. She didn't realize it actually worked until nine years later when he returns to the town for the Fall Festival and disaster after disaster strikes. Vivi and Rhys must stop the curse before it's too late! The plot gets really fun with silly things like toys coming to life and a talking cat. Be sure to check this one out in time for Halloween. Highly recommended!

The spellbinding allure and warmth of Practical Magic, Bewitched, and Hocus Pocus are brewed together in this adorably written rom-com filled with tons of magic, mayhem, and laughter.

Heartbroken after a passionate summer romance (and with a little influence of vodka), Vivi casts a “harmless” spell on her ex-flame. Now, nine years later, he’s back in town, and when strange occurrences start happening around him, Vivi begins to worry she may have accidentally placed a curse on him.

From the charming small-town setting to the fiery chemistry and hilarious banter, this story was a lighthearted read that made me swoon and smile! I desperately want a town just like this to exist, a dreamy place where Stars Hollow and Halloweentown blend together with twinkling fairy lights, festive Jack-o-lanterns, and where all the fall celebrations seem to come alive.

I loved the festive aspects of the book and how it intertwined with the romantic storyline. The curses, hexes, spells, haunted houses, ghosts, and all-around Halloween vibes just made the book so addictive and perfect for the upcoming spooky season! Not to mention, our tall, dark, and handsome love interest with his blue eyes, great hair, and endearing Welsh accent is sure to cast a spell on all our hearts. If you’re looking for a fun, seasonal read this fall, be sure to add this one to your list!

4.5/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This was such a fun and magical read! The Ex Hex would definitely be the perfect romance to read during this upcoming spooky season!
This book follows Vivienne Jones, a member of a family of witches, who decides to drunkenly curse her ex-boyfriend after discovering his lies. Nine years later, her ex and ancestor to the founder of her hometown, Rhys Penhallow, returns to Graves Glen only for Vivi to discover her curse actually worked. Through a series of mishaps and adventures, the two are forced to work together to save the town.
I loved the witchy fall vibes in this book so much! The atmosphere and setting were so well constructed and added so much to the story. I got total Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus vibes.
There was a bit of a mystery storyline included in the plot, but the romance was the best part for me. It was a mix of enemies to lovers and second chance romance which made for such a great dynamic between the MCs. I loved their banter and they had such great chemistry. It was really helpful that the story was told through dual narration so you’re able to see both Vivi and Rhys’ point of view as their relationship grows and changes.
I know so many people are already looking forward to fall and Halloween so if you’re looking for a book to get you into that mood, you have to add this one to your list!