Member Reviews
I have loved every single book in the Graves Glen universe, and even though this one isn't quite focused on Graves Glen we do get another Penhallow brother so it's a win.
Bowen, the most introverted Penhallow brother is searching for a cure for his best friend who was accidentally lost in a magic experiment gone wrong. He's trying to find a special artifact or some kind of unknown magic to bring him back and while doing so he meets Tamsyn.
Tamsyn is a bit of a magical artifacts locator/ dealer and when she meets Bowen (who she is insanely attracted to btw) she agrees to work solely for him. I'm doing so she pretty much forces herself not to develop feelings for him, or tries to anyways. While Bowen is out of town and he cancels their holiday plan she agrees to one final job with a whopping price tag attached. She's not expecting to find herself at the wedding that Bowen is also attending, and she definitely doesn't expect him to agree to help her find the object.
Sparks fly between these two and while on the search they're sucked back in time to solve a mystery that could have a profound impact on their future.
This book was perfect for cozy season, no matter when you choose to read it you'll love it!
Honestly, it’s probably my favorite in terms of storyline and plot progression, even though Wells and Gwyn are still my favorite couple.
The plot is engaging, though it takes a minute to get going. I appreciated the time to settle in, especially while trying to remember what was going on from the previous books. The wintery haunted mansion setting (in Wales, I believe) really adds to the cold winter aesthetic, and I liked exploring more of their world,even though we’re only briefly in Graves Glen. The book has a great mix of elements—forced proximity, time travel with a “Back to the Future” vibe (1957, to be exact), a bit of “Parent Trap”-style grandparent scheming, ghosts, and the grumpy & sunshine trope.
Bowen and Tamsyn’s relationship is charming, with some genuinely cute moments between them. However, I have to admit the romance felt a bit too insta-love for my taste. Bowen shifts from grumpy and barely interested to head over heels after just a few texts and brief conversations, which left me wanting more to really believe in their connection. Also, I would’ve liked to see more depth in Tamsyn’s hesitation to get involved with a coworker—it seemed like that conflict was resolved a bit too quickly. That said, I enjoyed their banter and the overall teasing from everyone in the story. It was playful without being judgy.
Overall, this was a whimsical, fun, and atmospheric read that I really enjoyed.
this was okay, nothing spectacular but a short, cute, simple read. i didn’t love the characters but i liked that it was a halloween and christmas book in one.
To say The Wedding Witch was one of my most anticipated releases (especially for a series) is not an exaggeration. I was bummed when the release date was pushed back (I love a lighthearted witchy book in the fall). Happy to report it worth the wait and I am so glad Erin Sterling was able to take the time she needed.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Bowen Penhallow and Tamsyn Bligh, the time travel, and haunted house. I was a little sad that it's a Yule (Winter/ Christmas) vibe instead of a Fall/ Halloween read. As a mood reader who read this ARC sitting on beach in the Summer it is my own fault I was let down by the holiday setting.
I love a good text/ email conversation to give context for characters relationships and Bowen and Tamsyn's had some fun ones. I felt like it helped shed some light on how their dynamic evolved over time. I definitely assumed there were more conversations and meetings that we didn't see on the page that lead to the gradual build up of their feelings but without that explicit knowledge the declaration of love felt a little sudden.
Sterling does well at writing a full cast of characters to add a bit more depth and I really enjoyed the side characters in this one as well as the glimpses of the previous couples. The plot had a few points that had me scratching my head. I don't know that I ever fully understood the magic system at work in this series. I honestly read these books for the cozy and relaxed vibes and that was fully delivered.
Overall a fun and quick read that I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of from Avon Harper Voyager via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I really enjoy Sterling’s cozy, witchy books, so when this one popped up as a possible ARC opportunity I ran to apply. I’m also a huge sucker for a Christmas, excuse me “Yule” romance.
We meet Tamsyn again in this book. She previously made an appearance in the Ex Hex (book 1) when she sold Rhys and Vivienne the Eurydice candle to capture a ghost and later sell a possessed candle. We also meet the infamous Bowen, Rhys final brother. The attraction between these two is instant and intense.
I wish we had more interactions between Bowen and Tamsyn to really see how they fell in love. Bowen’s feelings felt a bit quick for my taste and it lacked some build up. The ultimate build up between emotions and actions was fantastic. Bowen is the typical “grumpy” male who grunts often as a response. Conversely, Tamsyn is our sunshine female who brightens up the story and evens out this duo.
I really enjoyed hearing the updates on characters from books 1 and 2. This is always one of my favorite aspects of interconnected stand alones and it didn’t disappoint.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet, quick read for this holiday season then the Wedding Witch is a fun one for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the electronic advance reader copy.
My review will be posted on Amazon once the book becomes available.
The Wedding Witch was such a fun holiday read! This continues the “Ex Hex” series with the third brother, the grumpy Bowen. He’s been working with a magical items acquirer virtually for a while, but on Christmas Eve, they meet in person and Tamsyn turns his life around.
This was a delightful, chaos-filled story. It gave all of the cozy holiday vibes, lots of moments that made me giggle, and some spice too.
If you enjoyed Erin Sterling’s other books, I think you’ll really like this one!
About:
Lone wolf Bowen Penhallow enjoys a quiet life working solo, but his jobs lead him to enlisting the help of Tamsyn Bligh, a non-witch who also has a successful career acquiring magical objects. What was agreed to be a strictly professional relationship quickly leads to suppressing the growing romantic feelings from both.
During a break from work for the Yule season, Bowen travels to the Welsh countryside to attend a wedding at the request of his best-friend-turned-ghost, Declan. From the moment Bowen arrives at Tywyll House and immediately runs into Tamsyn - another uninvited guest with her own agenda - he is thrown into a mystery that involves a haunted manor, a magic spell, and some time travel that could have permanent repercussions. With Tamsyn by his side, they attempt to unravel the mystery of Y Seren, as well as their true feelings for each other.
My Thoughts:
I have been beyond excited for the third installment in the Ex Hex series since the moment I finished The Kiss Curse - getting to read this as an advanced copy was a dream!
The character development was as to be expected, but where Erin Sterling shines is how characters develop and interact together. Watching the professional-turned-potentially-more relationship between Bowen and Tamsyn unfold was a treat, and accompanied the mystery within the plot perfectly.
I definitely think this is one of my favorite books this year and I can’t wait to add it to my shelf when it is released!
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I have been anxiously awaiting Bowen's story and it did NOT disappoint!
💗Grumpy-Sunshine
💗 Time Travel
💗 DUAL POV
💗 Christmas Romance
This story follows the story of Bowen, the middle Penhallow brother, and Tamsyn, the magical item bounty hunter!
The fun newest release in the three part story following three brothers and their love interests. This book has time travel, witty banter, and some steamy scenes. I really enjoyed to two main characters. They were fun and relatable. This would be a great fall or winter read.
Such a great 3rd book in the series. I cannot wait to buy the physical copy once it comes out. Time travel and witches..hello? Sign me up!!
"The Wedding Witch" is available on October 15, 2024. I would like to thank the Publisher and Author for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this book! It's a business arrangement turned friends turned lovers. I felt like their story came to an end too soon.
The story follows Bowen Penhallow, the middle brother and I was so anticipating his story. This did not let me down!
A lovely Christmas romp with the last Penhallow brother, Bowen, and our little con-artist Tamsyn Bligh. Time-travel adventure, Wales at Yuletide, what more could you want?
Tamsyn Bligh and Bowen Penhallow have a very interesting relationship. Tamsyn finds magical artifacts usually held by witches, and Bowen is a witch she occasionally finds things for.. and also occasionally has VERY hot dreams about. The two unexpectedly end up together at a wedding in the beautiful Welsh countryside and somehow travel back through time to 1958. The two must work together to get back to their time while navigating their ever changing feelings and avoiding changing the future.
This was lovely! Sterling has yet to disappoint with the Penhallows. Tamsyn and Bowen's relationship is very much my jam, I'm quite the sucker for grumpy×sunshine.
Being a fantasy/sci-fi girly, the time traveling aspects to this book definitely threw me for a loop. So my only real negative opinion was the disregard for the butterfly effect and how it would change their lives in their time. However, knowing that this is more marketed as a romance, I'll push all that away.
The spice was decent, but the first scene was brilliant. Absolutely upped the tension between Tamsyn and Bowen, sort of gave them the push that they desperately needed.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC! Projected publishing date: October 8th, 2024
AHHH THIS BOOK!!! What starts out as a business arrangement turns into an adorable friendship between Bowen & Tamsyn. Something happens in December 2024 that brings them into December 1957 and are two characters now have to figure out how the heck they are getting back to their own time.
This read had so many things to love: time travel, witchy and steamy moments, loveable side characters, amusing banter, and such amazing chemistry between Bowen & Tamsyn.
My only complaint is the ending felt a bit rushed, and I had to reread it to understand what had just happened, wish there had just been an extra chapter, it felt like something was missing.
Overall this story was great for curling up on the couch with a nice cup of tea. Despite being centered around Yule I still felt all the cozy fall vibes and can't wait to add this to my shelf!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Special Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Erin Sterling for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
"The Wedding Witch" is available on October 15, 2024. I would like to thank the Publisher and Author for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley.
2.5 stars rounded up.
To be fair, I wasn't aware that this book was an installment in a series, so there were times when I was a bit confused as I hadn't read the two prior books. The two main characters in the book are Bowen, a powerful witch, and Tamsyn, a magical item bounty hunter. It's your typical romance novel with a spooky, witchy spin. At times, the book (and Bowen and Tamsyn's relationship) felt very rushed, and the ending left me wanting more. Overall, I think it was a quick and easy read, but it wasn't my favorite.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️/5, open door, explicit, 3 scenes
🛁
Feelings after turning the last page: What a cute little Halloween AND Christmas book 🙈😍.
🛁
10-second Synopsis: Tamsyn is a contractor who works in magical acquisitions. Bowen hires her to work solely for him. Interesting circumstances land them almost 70 years back in time and they need to figure out how to get back to the present’
🛁
Review: This book was so fun! Lighthearted and sweet with the perfect balance of plot and spice. Bowen is probably my favorite Penhallow brother, and Tamsyn was so fun too! The time travel was a great twist and it was so well done. I do think the ending was too quick! I wanted more! Overall this was so cute and a great way to round out the Penhallow brothers. Perfect for a Christmas OR Halloween read 😉❤️.
🛁
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
A cute fall romance read. Bowen and Tamsyn are co workers looking for magical items and are transported 50 years past. Now they have to work together to get back to the present. A lovely romance, light hearted read.
#netgalley #theweddingwitch
The third installment of the Ex Hex series, we’re finally getting Bowen Penhallow’s story…with a familiar face. He’s an occasional customer of acquirer Tamsyn Bligh. When asked by an old friend to go to a Yuletide wedding in the Welsh countryside, the last person he expects to see there is Tamsyn who is on her own mission. A magical artifact combined with a spell gone bad transports the two to another wedding at the same estate…in 1957. And they have to work together to solve why they were sent there and how to get home.
Loved this and really liked the Christmas atmosphere so this can work for fall or winter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars
cute, cozy, and fast read! i love this sweet series so much <333
thank u netgalley for the arc!
This was my favourite book of the series!
The slow burn was incredible and had me rooting for them from the get go. I loved the grumpy x sunshine relationship between them. Bowen is the best version of a grunting gentleman and Tamsyn is everything he needs to bring him out of his shell!
I enjoyed that we got out of Graves End for this one and saw a bit more of Wales. The haunted mansion setting was perfect for this book, especially with the time travel element. I would definitely recommend this to be read at Christmas time as it has a lot of holiday vibes.