This book in 3 words: Quirky. Sweet. Witty. 

Wells comes back to Graves Glen to help establish/strengthen the family magic, as well as start a new life path. This leads Wells to opening a shop across the street from the already existing Something Wicked and its cohort Gwyn. Wells and Gwyn have quite the competition for business but things definitely get out of hand... in more ways than one... 

If you love a book with funny character banter, The Kiss Curse is it! I loved the detailed interactions between Wells and Gwyn. The dialogue is focused and realistic with a clear voice for each character. WITTY BANTER FOR THE WIN! 

I found the plot interesting and easy to follow. I actually liked this book more than it's predecessor, The Ex Hex. Both are enjoyable but I think this one works better  

The Kiss Curse is a perfect read whenever you're looking for some fall, witchy vibes. Even though we're out of Halloween/Spooky season, this is such a solid mood-read book. Recommend picking up whenever your heart is out for fall.

This was so cute! As the sequel to The Ex Hex, I was super excited to read this. This story follows Gwyn, Vivi’s badass cousin. The story was good, light and easy to read. I loved the banter between Gwyn and Wells. I would also love to have the T-shirts that Gwyn wore from Something Wicked (If I Were A Witch Girl; Fly My Pretty’s, etc). Things got pretty intense near the end but it felt very surface level and lack luster. I wanted so much more drama with the situation but there wasn’t any. Overall this was still a quick read and super cute. Definitely recommend as another Halloween read and follow up to The Ex Hex.

This is a great book to read in October. I don't always read a witchy read but it hit the right spot near Halloween. It was cute and I love the talking cat. If you grew up watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch, check out this light hearted romance series!

I loved this next installment in the Ex Hex series. Funny, romantic and oh so witchy! The characters are interesting and their batter is fun. Recommend this one and the first one for sure!

I couldn’t wait to read this after binging The Ex Hex. It did not disappoint. I loved the relationship between Gwyn and Wells. It was so sassy and steamy. I feel like it is the perfect read around Halloween if you don’t want a thriller/mystery but a slightly witchy rom com instead. Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyage for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am new to the world of witchy romances, but I am hooked! I absolutely loved the Kiss Curse! After reading and loving The Ex Hex, I knew I had to read this one too. And I am so happy to see it was Gwyn's story. I loved the tension between Gywn and Wells! And the chemistry was HOT! This was a fun read with heat, but also depth as they are also both sorting out personal things. Can't wait for more from Erin!

Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem—Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.

Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn.

When their professional competition leads to a very personal—and very hot—kiss, both Wells and Gwyn are determined to stay away from each other, convinced the kiss was just a magical fluke. But when a mysterious new coven of witches come to town and Gwyn’s powers begin fading, she and Wells must work together to figure out just what these new witches want and how to restore Gwyn’s magic before it’s too late.

2.5 Stars

Gwyn doesn’t like responsibility, but now that her family’s magic is fueling the cozy witch town of Graves Glen her cousin is trying to push her to give more of a damn. She’ll be put to the test when Vivi leaves for her overdue honeymoon, making Gwyn the only Jones in town for a few weeks.

Wells Penhallow’s family used to control the magic in Graves Glen, but much to his father’s dismay. Wells volunteers to move away from his isolated life in England to keep an eye on how Graves Glen, Georgia is now operating. He opens up a sophisticated withy shop across from Gwyn’s kitchy one, leading to a business owner war that leads to the two of them making out in the cellar.

As Gwyn and Wells’s relationship grows, Gwyn’s magic starts to disappear. The two begin investigating a troublesome witch that just moved to town. Will Gwyn get her powers back before it’s too late? Will this change in Gwyn lead to turmoil in her relationship with Wells?

I prefer The Ex Hex to this installment. The relationship between Vivi and Rhys was so fun to read about and I liked their banter. I just didn’t connect with Gwyn in the same way and I found her personality a bit annoying and over the top. Wells is more up my street, and I do think he’s a great match for Gwyn. Still, I never really felt giddy or excited for their romance.

The plot was practically non-existent, and I personally prefer plot-driven books to character-driven ones. Gwyn’s magic dying out on her wasn’t really an issue until the last 25% of the novel and the solution was very lame. The bad guys were defeated with practically no effort and I was confused if I had missed a couple chapters due to the quickness of this plot line wrap up. I had this same issue with The Ex Hex, too, and I predict the same will be the case for the next installment The Wedding Wish.

I liked that the witch stuff was increased since it was lacking from the first book. Seeing how magic is used during sex was entertaining and is exactly the type of thing that should be explored in a witch romance novel. I think this book would be better for a different audience, but the way it was written was personally not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Ex Hex,I knew that I had to read Kiss Curse! It was the perfect amount of fun, cute, and steamy and and a great fall read, without the scary factor. The humor and banter was A+ and Sir Purrcival was a star!

This one was way better than the first. I feel like I wish I reread the first one again before going into this one just so I had more background knowledge of the world that I forgot, but I still loved it. I feel like it was a lot quicker in pace and a lot more fun as far as content goes. The perfect spooky October read!

There was very little romance in this romance. I did enjoy the setup, and the characters were quirky and fun, but there was just no tension or attraction or sizzle. Yes, there was spice....and I liked that. But, I do like it when the spice is paired with some genuine heat and romantic tension. I feel like this paled in comparison to The Ex Hex, which had a history between the characters and romantic tension in spades.

Great witchy read for this time of year...⁣
⁣
I read The Ex Hex last year and remembered not loving but fully enjoying the witchy-ness. I liked The Kiss Curse a bit more and still stand by that these books are great, lighter witchy reads that are great for this time of year.⁣
⁣
Summary⁣
Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem—Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.⁣
⁣
Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn...⁣
⁣
It was fun. It was steamy. It was just the right amount of witchy-ness.

I hate doing this, but I did not enjoy this one. It felt exactly like The Ex Hex to me and lacked some of the atmosphere and festiveness that pulled me into that story. If you are a huge romance fan and love seasonal reading, then this may be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy.

I was obsessed with The Ex Hex when it came out so I was incredibly excited for this next book. The Kiss Curse brought back that same witty Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic vibes with all of the magic, banter, giggles, and swooning. This did not disappoint!

I live for a man obsessed with her girl and Gwyn / Wells BROUGHT IT!! Rivals to lovers is always so good. The sass and the buildup of their relationship was so enticing and had me gripped from start to finish! Such a fantastic romcom. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the story overall.

I am a huge mood reader and there are times when I finish a book and the story just felt so right. I loved this story. To the battling shops, the dark history of witches back in college, the puns, all the things. I want a talking Sir Perceval and a shop just like Wells IRL. I finished this book never wanting to leave Graves Glen. It is the perfect comfort read for Autumn. I

“The Kiss Curse” by Erin Sterling was a companion novel to “The Ex Hex” from last fall. And dare I say even better?! I loved the character Gwyn and all her feisty personality and the chemistry with Wells. Wells need a change of pace so he comes to town to be with his brother and sets up a “better” Shop of witchcraft to compete with Gwyn. The banter is all fun and games until Gwyn’s power seems to be draining and together they are trying to figure out is the latest coven the problem?

Perfect October light, fun read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#julesbookshelf #octoberreads #thekisscurse #erinsterling #bookstagram #goodreads #arc #netgalley

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so stoked to be given the opportunity to read thisbone. I loved The Ex Hex and I loved Gwyn's story.

This sequel still gave me all the small town, fall vibes and I loved the introduction of the Baby Witches.

Wells was grumpy, but a cinnamon roll. Gwyn was witty, smart, and funny. This one was a bit slow in the build up of the plot and the "curse" was really obvious. The spice was not where I like it, but some is better than none I suppose! Overall, this was a quick read and listen, I went back and forth between audio and ebook. It had cute moments, the Morgan plots was unnecessary, and I really, really, really want a Bowen book!

I thought that The Ex Hex was a perfect fall read and this falls into that category as well. The town of Graves Glen is a perfect spooky season setting and I definitely have enjoyed reading about the cousin's escapades!

Another winner in this series! I loved Wells. The change he went through from when we first met him in book one to now was awesome. And watching Gwyn fall in love with him was sweet.

There has to be a third book for Bowen. And honestly, I can't wait for it!

I loved this enemy to lovers romance. I actually liked it more than the Ex Hex. The romance felt more earned. The magic made sense - although the conclusion felt rushed. All of the fun details of the town and their stores really added to the story. Can't wait to read what happens to the last brother!

The magic of the Jones women now powers Graves Glen after a revealing showdown in THE EX HEX. Gwyn Jones enjoys her position as a member of the coven, along with her mother and cousin. Born witches and mortals alike flock to her shop, Something Wicked, especially in the Fall, and Gwyn has even started mentoring a trio of young witches.

Her complacency is shattered when broody, know-it-all Wells Penhallow moves to town and opens a competing magic store directly across the street. Gwyn uses all her wiles to best Wells. At the same time, a new group of witches makes Graves Glen their home base.

When Gwyn and Wells kiss—passionately—after being accidentally exposed to a love potion, their rivalry becomes more complicated. Gwyn resolves to avoid Wells, but when she loses her magic, she needs his help to determine the cause and restore her powers.

I thought THE EX HEX was a cute Halloween read, but I really loved THE KISS CURSE. Gwyn is a fun, sassy character, and I enjoyed her rivalry with Wells. The college-age witches Gwyn mentors are great additions to the story, and Purrcival, the talking cat, returns. Finishing the book, I was so sad to leave the characters behind. I did think the final confrontation between the main characters and the villains was rushed, though. One plot point was unresolved, and I am hoping that a third book wraps it up, but that’s not the only reason I want this series to continue!