BOOK REVIEW: The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Let's just say drunk cursing is never a good idea!
This is everything I want in a fun, witchy, rom-com October book! It was a quick and easy read with enjoyable main characters, a cute setting and a little bit of magic.
It all started 9 years ago, when jilted 19 year old Vivi in a heart-broken bender cursed Rhys with the help of her loving, supportive cousin, Gwyn. But, it wasn’t supposed to be a real curse, they didn’t even know what they were doing. However, fast forward almost a decade and Rhys has returned to Graves Glen, Georgia to basically reset the magical lay lines. His family are the founders of this magical little town so it is their responsibility. Rhys just so happened to pull the short stick and is forced to return to where his summer fling of the past still lives with her family of witches.
I will admit that I wish there was a little more magic involved vs talking about it and referencing it. Don’t get me wrong, there were some fun magical items like the mirror and the candle. But there magic that was included typically consisted of spells that had already been cast and discussion around spells. Magic took a back seat to the series of unfortunate events that the curse was causing and the sexual tension between Vivi and Rhys.
Rhys took the curse in stride, and I really enjoyed his personality. Because the story wasn’t written from a single point of view, we had the ability to see some of the feelings and motivations of Rhys and Vivi in the midst of a single situation. I always prefer multiple points of view, and this is just an easier way of accomplishing it without using alternating chapters.
You almost ran your ex-boyfriend over with a car, and then left him lying in the literal dirt on the side of the road. It is such a big deal, you absolute queen.
Gwyn said “Operation Sooth the Muggles” to Vivi at one point, which made me chuckle, but it was also a pretty accurate statement for how they lived. Not everyone in Graves Glen was a witch. Even at the Penhollow College there was a “Witch College” magically embedded right in with everything else. It actually felt that Vivi’s family was in the minority even though Halloween and all the events surrounding the day was the highlight of the year for everyone.
I feel that there wasn’t a tremendous amount of depth to many of the side characters, and that things moved on without much difficulty; however, again I didn’t really mind that since I wanted a fun, cozy book that I didn’t have to think about or remember things in order for the book to make sense. This isn’t one of those books that I will necessarily remember for a dramatic plot twist or atmospheric setting, but I will absolutely read the sequel.
The interesting thing about the book and thus this review is that there just isn’t much to say about it other than what I’ve already said. The details could have been expanded upon, but there was enough there for things to make sense and to immerse yourself into the world for a little while.
Some of my favorite moments of the book include:
The possessed toy skeleton heads
Rhys and Vivi’s adventure in the “haunted house”
Talking Cats
Bitter ghosts
The ending was sufficient in bringing closure. It all happened quickly, but I don’t feel that it was rushed. To me, it was effective and flowed smoothly with the speed and structure of the rest of the book leading to that moment.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
Probably the middle shelf, but definitely high up on it. I really did enjoy this book. It was fun and cute. There was a good amount of witty banter between everyone. I love Gwyn’s interactions with Rhys - she’s the best cousin ever! But I just wish there was a little more active magic. I wouldn’t say this is so much enemies-to-lovers as much as it is woman-scorned- to-lovers, even a book about second chances. I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a fun, easy, cozy little witchy rom-com to round out October. The sequel was just released so you could probably binge both books between now and the end of the month!
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