I will say, if you do not like the Ex Hex, you will not like this one! However, if you loved it, you are definitely going to love this one! I will say, you aren't going to get this masterpiece of a book, but it is 100% perfect for October/fall vibes, and gives all of the same nonsense that Sabrina the Teenage Witch gives mixed with the cute down and characters of Halloween town! Definitely recommend for your spooky fall time TBR!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

The Kiss Curse is the follow-up to The Ex Hex, which was a great Halloween romance. This one follows Gwyn as she reluctantly finds love with her nemesis, Wells Penhallow. We are back in the beloved Graves Glen, the perfect spooky version of Stars Hallow, and this time, there’s a mysterious new coven in town causing trouble.

I loved this one even more than The Ex Hex. The enemies to lovers/professional rivals angle is my favorite and Gwyn and Wells have a ton of chemistry. I loved the banter. I loved the “Let’s blame magic every time we accidentally kiss.”. I loved the teen witches. I loved the sprinkle of suspense. Perfection.

Overall, this is a great addition to your Halloween tbr. Especially those who just want a bit of spookiness and witchiness. I can’t wait for the next one.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 4.5
🌶️ PG-13

☑️ Contemporary Romance
☑️ Paranormal Romantic Comedy
☑️ Small Town Romance
☑️ Enemies to Lovers
☑️ Grumpy/Grumpy
☑️ Dual POV

Okay I loved book one and I loved book 2. I thought this was book was fun, quirky and super steamy! You get even more of Sir Purrcival and Baby Witches!!

Gwyn and Wells chemistry was off the charts. Their immediate mutual attraction and also immediate attempt at denying those feelings was perfect. I really enjoyed their competitiveness, but also how they came together to solve the newest mystery in Graves Glen.

I definitely loved seeing a little bit more of Rhys and Vivi but I’m so darn excited for Bowen’s book!

If you are looking for a semi spooky read with modern Sabrina the Teenage Witch/Practical Magic vibes and enemies to lovers, this book is for you.

I love witchy books! This is the follow up to The Ex Hex. After the romance continues with a honeymoon. Her cousin and his brother are starting a business rivalry with their spell shops, though they are designed for humans not to actually give them magic. I loved their friendly then full on business competition then truce. They are from the two powerful families so it's always very passionate.

These two have the animosity down but also are turning into enemies to lovers feel. Love their chemistry and the fact they keep trying to deny it and blame it on magic 🤣 

The mystery in town was interesting and there a few factors causing the issues with the magic. I didn't see it coming or know who it was.

I need the "werewolf" brothers romance! 

Thank you avonbooks and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

3.5/5
2/5

“…because her heart is the only thing more impressive than magic.."

Gwyn Jones is perfectly content with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom and her cousin are running a successful witchcraft shop called Something Wicked, and Gwyn is mentoring a trio of younger witches in town.

As Halloween approaches, there is one small problem,…

Liewellyn, better known as Wells - Penhallow has come to Graves Glen to reestablish his family’s connection to the town they founded - and also try his hand by opening a shop of his own…across the street from Something Wicked.

Wells quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for by going up against Gywn,

When their professional competition leads to a VERY steamy kiss…both Wells and Gywn are convinced the kiss was a magical fluke.

But when an old friend comes into town, and Gywn’s powers are slowly fading…she and wells must work together to figure out how to restore her magic before it’s too late.

____

Well ya’ll: this book kicked off my spooky season rom com reads!

It was most definitely a cute, seasonal read with some semi spicy scenes (I could have used some more though!)

I enjoyed the banter between Wells and Gwyn and thought she was such a cute and positive mc!

I absolutely LOVED the small town setting - it gave me major HalloweenTown vibes!

Wells (at first) was kind of a jerk, but then he (along with this Welch accent!) grew on me

Towards the end, things got a tad too far fetched, but then again, I had to remind myself to suspend my beliefs given this was a spooky season read and it wasn’t going to be realistic.

SIMONE SAYS READ THIS IF YOU LIKE

enemies to lovers
small town romances
talking cats
witchy vibes

thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

The Kiss Curse is a fun, quick, witchy read that absolutely knows what it is trying to be! We have so many corny references throughout and a quirky cast of witches that bring the banter in droves!

I was hopeful this return to Graves Glen (which is forever delightfully giving me Stars Hollow vibes) would be more enjoyable than the first installment in this series and it definitely was! I found The Ex Hex too boring and convoluted from what I can remember, but The Kiss Curse had much better pacing and chemistry.

Without giving too many spoilers, I will say the ending was way too easily resolved and I didn’t fully love how the mystery played out. But is that what we’re going into a witchy contemporary romance for? Not really 😂

I’d definitely recommend this book as a light (and somewhat steamy) book to launch you into spooky season!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon for this ARC! I was really excited to have a chance to read The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling in preparation for spooky season this year! I loved The Ex Hex with Vivi and Rhys, so I couldn't wait to read about Gwyn and Wells!

I really loved Gwyn in The Ex Hex, so I was excited to learn more about her, see her personality and see how she runs her shop Something Wicked. Obviously, when Rhys' grumpy brother Wells comes into town to re-establish their family's heritage in Graves Glen. He opens a new store in town to compete with Gwyn - leading to a great enemies to lovers scenario that's so fun to see play out. But Gwyn and Wells are forced to join forces to deal with some weird happenings in town, and Gwyn struggling with her magic.

The true star of the show though was Sir Purrcival and his treats! LOL I loved him and then Gwyn's "Baby Witches" so much! This was such a fun, quick read, and I loved that it was so seasonally appropriate! :) I definitely recommend if you're looking for your next cute romcom read!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the sequel to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅 𝗛𝗲𝘅 by Erin Sterling. I absolutely adored this book. This is the perfect into into spooky season book! enemies-to-lovers story of Gwyn Jones and Wells Penhallow who must work together to save Graves Glen after a coven of mysterious witches comes to town and Gwyn's magic begins to fade. It’s comedy gold with appearances of Sir Purrvical the Talking Cat and Gwyn’s “Baby Witch” trainees.

This is a very lighthearted romance with some spicy scenes thrown in!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/ 5

The Kiss Curse is a fun and steamy enemies to lovers perfect for the spooky lovers!

After reading the ex hex, I was so excited to see that Gwyn would be getting her book and it did not disappoint! We have competing stores, supernatural elements, all the spooky and warm fall vibes perfect for this time and the hot steam from these two characters between their competitiveness and fiery dynamic, it was such a fun time seeing their relationship develop. It was such a fun time to go back to the town where it all began and I loved every bit of it. The writing is witty, clever and quick paced. The small town essence was like a warm fuzzy feeling that makes you happy to be back and part of the book and the characters and their journey, this book is perfect if you love the spooky vibes but with lots of charm, warm fall vibes and nothing too scary and overall so sweet.

And seeing old characters again was the best! Gwyn is just such a cool and kick ass woman that you instantly love and her fun dynamic with sir purrcival is one my favorite things of the book and just gwyn and wells I couldn’t picture a better couple to pair off with.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to netgalley, avon books (harper collins), and Erin Sterling for the ARC of The Kiss Curse.

What a perfect read to get me into the spooky mood! The Kiss Curse is the second book in The Ex-Hex series, and I absolutely devoured it. Enemies to Lovers, Small Town Rivalry, funny squad goals, and of course a cat, Sir Purrcival is an absolute gem, and I need to see more of him. The level of spice was just enough, and the energy radiating from Gwyn and Wells is intoxicating. I found myself laughing out loud more often than not. The story was well done, and I absolutely cannot wait until book 3, word on the street is there's a werewolf?!

When Gwyn sees a new shop open across the way, and finds that it's none other than her enemy, Wells (Rhys's no -show to her cousin's wedding brother), she is left wondering what in the hell he is thinking. Bring on the hilarity, sexual tension, witty banter, spice, and the discovery of an evil magic that brings them close together with run in after run in. As the need to solve what is going on in the small town becomes imperative, Wells and Gwyn's relationship becomes stronger, and as the truth begins to unravel Wells begin to question everything he believes in, and wonders if Graves Glenn is where he belongs.

I can't wait until book three! Thank you so much for the copy to review.

It's starting to feel like fall here in the Northeast which put me in the mood for reading something witchy and POOF! I conjured up the perfect book in 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘.

This sequel to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅 𝗛𝗲𝘅 by Erin Sterling (otherwise known as thriller author Rachel Hawkins) follows the enemies-to-lovers story of Gwyn Jones (Vivi's cousin) and Wells Penhallow (Rhys's brother) who must put their differences aside to save Graves Glen after a coven of mysterious witches comes to town and Gwyn's magic begins to fade. It's sexy and funny, has a great supporting cast in the trio of "baby witches" Gwyn mentors, and gives us more of Sir Purrcival the talking cat which is exactly what the world needs right now.

I can only hope next fall will bring us a third book where Bowen Penhallow finds love... maybe with one of the baby witches?!

Thanks to Avon Books & Harper Voyager for the copy to review.

Following the release of The Ex Hex, this sequel exceeded all of my expectations and was the perfect rainy fall day read. I absolutely loved the energy of Gwyn and it was great to explore her story. The romance was so amazing with the tension and spice. I felt like I was having a fresh hot chai latte in the fall. Anyways, I absolutely adored this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fluffy comfy read for the fall.

I loved The Ex Hex it was like an open door hallmark movie that I felt like I could reread every year. The Kiss Curse is the same for me! I loved Gwyn’s sarcasm and her mentoring of the baby witches. She has excellent banter with Wells before they start to admit their feelings but even after they keep the playful vibe alive. It was fun to see Wells keep his formal ways but also let his hair down a bit with Gwyn. Sir Purrcival is back with his toddler talking ways and it was so cute to picture a black cat screaming Happy Halloween for treats. Rhys and Vivi make the perfect level of cameo and the plot was a solid continuation from the first book. If you loved The Ex Hex you will also love this one. If you didn’t love it, then you still might like this one because I liked this one better.

Imagine the hallmark fall line up if you mix in some minor spookiness and a little open door spice 🌶️

I thought this was even better than the Ex Hex. It is mostly because Wells is a little more broody than Rhys so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Gwen is a wonderful lead character! She’s spunky and stubborn and really steps into herself and her power as she is left to hold down the town, the store, and even finds herself mentoring a few young witches that go to the local college.

Look is this book predictable? Probably. BUT does it make you feel ready for fall and wishing you could visit Glaves Glen? Completely!

THE KISS CURSE is a companion novel to THE EX HEX, and the perfect witchy fall read. I loved revisiting Graves Glen and seeing Vivi and Rhys from the first book as a happily married couple. And of course, Sir Purrcival the cat stole the show once again. I also loved the introduction of Gwyn’s mentees, whom she dubbed the “Baby Witches.” They added an extra sense of fun and humor to the story.

Gwyn and Wells had great chemistry, and I loved their snarky banter as well as their steamy scenes. When the answer to the mystery first seemed to be revealed, it felt a little too easy, but I was happy to find there was an additional element to the ending. Don’t go into this one expecting too much drama though: just expect a funny, mostly lighthearted romance. I don’t know if there’s going to be any more Graves Glen books, but I’d be happy to read them if there is!

After reading the Ex Hex, I knew that I needed more of this world and I ended up loving this book even more.
Gwyn had her reasons for loathing Wells. The first dates back to a time where he humiliated her, even if he doesn't remember it. It still stands.
Wells comes back to town to keep an eye out since his brother is since occupied now with his new wife. Their father's magic used to be surperior, but now the towns magic is powered by Gwyn's family and Wells goes back to prove that he can make it in the town.
When he comes back, he immediately opens a store, just like Gwyn's, right across the street. As if Gwyn needed another reason to dislike him. Unfortunately, a little mix up with a love potion brings these two closer than they ever thought they would be.
I loved watching Gwyn and Wells try (and fail) to fight their attraction for one another. They were like magnets, but with such fire. I especially loved the baby witches and the side characters in this one, it just made it all the more fun. This was the perfect read for spooky season!
Thanks to Erin Sterling, Avon and Netgalley for an early copy.

*4.5 stars

thank you to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, and Erin Sterling for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

welcome back to Graves Glen, witches!

i read The Ex Hex last fall and thoroughly enjoyed it, so i was extremely excited when i was approved for the eARC of The Kiss Curse. i loved getting to see Vivi and Rhys again, and how all the characters interacted. Gwyn and Wells were amazing, and the plot of this second book was so fun to read! i don’t think there was anything that i didn’t like about this book overall. it was super quick and easy to read as well!

Bowen, the middle Penhallow brother, showed up significantly in the last bit of this book, so i’m very interested in seeing if he will be getting his own book next!

this book includes:
— lots and lots of witches!
— enemies/rivals to lovers
— third person pov
— spooky vibes

this is the perfect fall/spooky season read, especially for those who aren’t fans of super spooky books (like thrillers & horror)!

“Esquire,” Sir Purrcival said, his little voice sleepy and fond, and Wells chuckled, leaning down to pet him. And suddenly Gwyn knew she was in very, very deep trouble.

You know he’s a winner when he can win over the surly talking cat of the surly hot witch. Him being stacked and wearing waistcoats probably helped but who can say for sure.

This was the follow up to The Ex Hex which I found delightful. I hoped Wells was going to get the follow up book and was pleased with it. It was a very fun, low angst Spooky romance just like the first.

He needs a change and moves into the storefront across from hers where he sells curated magical looking items to her traditional Halloween fare. She is of course so furious that she has to put her face on his face so he knows just how mad she is about it.

The mystery story line wasn’t hard to track but I really enjoyed these two taking ages longer to solve it because they kept necking. I want more Baby Witches that Gwyn is helping. Give me novellas. I don’t care. They are adorable.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

It’s Spooky Szn! For me, that’s not-so-spooky szn, because I can’t handle anything scary, which makes The Kiss Curse exactly my speed. It’s got the flirty banter and swoony moments of a good contemporary romance paired with some fun witchery and magic and a talking cat. Sir Purrcival is a star, and I won’t hear any arguments. He delivers the funniest moment of the whole damn book.

In her follow up to The Ex Hex, Erin Sterling crafts a super fun enemies-to-lovers. More like “people who irritate each other and engage in a prank war to lovers” which is honestly better. Gwyn’s family magic is now powering Graves Glen, and Wells is tired of living solely to help his father in Wales and wants to branch out. When they meet in Graves Glen, it’s a whirlwind of competing “magic” shops, snark, and both of them being annoyed by the attraction between then. But when Gwyn’s magic starts to falter, can they work together to figure out why?

So much about this book hit the mark for me. I loved the push and pull between Gwyn and Wells – they’re such good complements for each other. There are multiple characters pushing the narrative tension, and I think that worked. A small bad and a Big Bad that hints at more to come is always good by me. And I’m fully obsessed with the Baby Witches, aka the college-aged witches Gwyn inadvertently ends up mentoring. They’re hilarious and weird and amazing, and I want only good things for them.

I think my main issue here is the same issue I have with a lot of magical fiction. The ending feels a little rushed and even anticlimactic. We spend a whole book learning how magic works. There are rules and parameters and reasons things happen the way they do. And then in the end, none of that matters because the big issue is overcome because someone tries really hard or in some inexplicable way that gets written off with a shrug of, that’s just how magic is. And I always want just a little more explanation.

That aside, this was a really fun book, perfect fall vibes, and a great way to kick off spooky szn.

The Ex Hex was cute and I enjoyed it…… BUT THE KISS CURSE???????? I’M OBSESSED. GIMME ALL OF WELLS. I’M OFF TO WALES TO FIND ME A WELSHMAN NAMED WELLS AND JUST ADORE HIM ENDLESSLY. APPARENTLY MY HUSBAND, A WELSHMAN NAMED BEN, JUST ISN’T HITTING THE SAME.

Enough about Wells, Esquire (just ugh, go read and fall in love with him okayyyyy), but I also need to talk about how much I ADORED Gwyn and her loving and kind heart. She “adopts” a group of “baby witches” from the college and takes them under her wing and MY GODDESS IF THAT ISN’T ONE OF THE FUNNIEST AND BEST RUNNING PLOTS THROUGHOUT THE BOOK I WILL EAT WELL’S NAVY SHOE.

We get teeny check ins with Vivi and Rhys, and those were satisfying, but I loved that they were gone on honeymoon most of the book so we really could focus on Gwyn and Wells and their enemies-to-partners-in-solving-a-mystery-to-lovers plot. It was SO. GOOD. OKAY!???

Anyhoo, I will officially hex the publishing industry IF WE DO NOT GET A BOOK WITH BOWEN. DO YOU HEAR ME?????? HEX!!!!!!!!

Trust me and pick up this perfect book for fall/spooky season and get whisked away to the adorably witchy town of Graves Glen and get wrapped up in the mystery around disappearing magic and the OMG I NEED MORE GIVE ME MORE OF IT romance that is Wells and Gwyn.