From the Bookshelf of Challenge Corner…

The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1)

Erin Sterling

Start date: November 1, 2024

Finish date: November 30, 2024

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jan 10, 2022 Elizabeth Aguilar rated it it was ok

RTC

It was a short, mostly entertaining read. I don't remember seeing the overall magic explained explained so I just went along with whatever was explained.

I liked the general chaotic/fun 'Practical Magic' vibes. While I liked Rhys and Vivi as individuals, I didn't completely get how they had such intense chemistry when they had a summer fling to survive so long apart. But I did like seeing how they grow together while trying to put an end to the curse on Rhys.

I enjoyed the big twist at the end ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2023 Tbirdplanstoread rated it liked it

Shelves: catalogued, own-paper-back, z-2023-read

Solid 3.5 stars. Pretty good but didn't wow me... ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2022 Kayleigh {K-Books} rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, own-physical

The Ex Hex Review on K-Books

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”

The Ex Hex is a book that I discovered only a couple of months ago. It was around October/Halloween time, I saw this book all over bookstagram. People were absolutely raving about this cute and funny witchy story. I went out and bought it, but I’ll be honest I was originally apprehensive about reading it. In the past, witch books have just not been my thing. I would say in regards to paranormal books, they’re my least favourite par The Ex Hex Review on K-Books

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”

The Ex Hex is a book that I discovered only a couple of months ago. It was around October/Halloween time, I saw this book all over bookstagram. People were absolutely raving about this cute and funny witchy story. I went out and bought it, but I’ll be honest I was originally apprehensive about reading it. In the past, witch books have just not been my thing. I would say in regards to paranormal books, they’re my least favourite paranormal creature. But after having read a couple of recent witch books and having liked them I finally decided I would give this one a go.

The Ex Hex is such a cute and fun read. It’s funny and sexy, and with it being just over 300 pages, it’s a pretty quick read. I actually really liked the vibe of this book. To me, it felt very hocus pocus-eske. And Hocus Pocus is one of my all time favourite movies so that’s definitely a good thing for me. I really enjoyed Erin Stirling’s writing style. It was really easy to read and you just fall straight into this witchy town and get lost in it. I love books like this as I don’t have to think overly hard. And as reading is my way of relaxing… that’s usually what I want. Erin’s writing style felt really familiar for me and I wasn’t sure why. I have since discovered that she is the same person who wrote Hex Hall, a YA series I read about 8/9 years ago. I love that she has delved into some more adult fiction.

I instantly fell head over heels in love with Vivi and Rhys. This was a total surprise for me as this one is definitely a second-chance romance, which is a trope I tend to have trouble with. Sometimes with this trope, I find I can’t connect with the characters as their romance and connection was already there from their previous relationship. I am pleased to say I did not feel this way with The Ex Hex. The chemistry between these two sizzles both on and off the page. You are instantly in love with them and want them to just give up and admit they’re in love already. It was such a sweet, gorgeous and sexy story. And yes, for you spicy fans… there is a couple of spicy scenes in there for you. Not too much, but there is some there.

I listened to this one on audio, and for the most part, I really enjoyed the audio narration. The narrators did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life, and they really showed the emotion of this story really well. I do have a very small gripe which is to do with the narration and not the book. Rhys is from Wales… yet apart from a few moments where Vivi notices his accent is ‘thicker than usual’ the narrators (both of them) read Rhys parts with a very broad American accent. I know for some people, this won’t be a big deal but for me it really took away a little bit of the magic of the story. I’d have loved to hear an authentic accent for him. Especially when there was some very good British slang included in the story, and it just lost it’s effect and hilarity being read in an American accent.

If you’re looking for a quick, fun, cute and sexy romance to read with a little paranormal twist, this is the book for you. It was truthfully, an absolute delight and I recommend it to everyone. I am so happy that Erin Stirling is writing a sequel. I can’t wait to see what more spells go awry and what witchy shenanigans will go down with these characters next. I will most definitely be preordering. I am officially no longer going to be apprehensive over a witchy book as I really, really enjoyed this one.

“I was mad about you, Vivienne. Utterly mad.”

...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2022 Susan rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun book to read during the Halloween season. I thought the characters were likable and I loved the small town. I think I'm finding that I enjoy books that are set in small towns. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2022 Kylara Jensen rated it liked it

Shelves: witches

Meh

Very spicy.

I don't get the hype... ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2022 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, mf-contemporary, challenge-reads-2022, read-in-2022

This was lots of fun, and maybe, just the tiniest bit disappointing. I mean, how can you not immediately fall in love with a book when the heroine and her cousin break the first rule Never mix vodka and witchcraft and then sort-of-accidentally-on-purpose curse the ~~Dickbag~~ ex, starting with:

"Goddess, we beseech you that this man shall never again darken Vivi's door nor her vagina."

and moving on from there.

Nine years later, Vivi and her cousin have more or less forgotten about the curse when the D This was lots of fun, and maybe, just the tiniest bit disappointing. I mean, how can you not immediately fall in love with a book when the heroine and her cousin break the first rule Never mix vodka and witchcraft and then sort-of-accidentally-on-purpose curse the ~~Dickbag~~ ex, starting with:

"Goddess, we beseech you that this man shall never again darken Vivi's door nor her vagina."

and moving on from there.

Nine years later, Vivi and her cousin have more or less forgotten about the curse when the ~~Dickbag~~ ex shows up to perform his family's obligation and refresh the ley line. He has a string of increasingly bad luck, until he performs the ritual, and then he apparently poisons the ley line and sends corrupted magic all through the valley.

This is where things kind of dropped off for me. Corrupted magic flowing through the town sounds pretty bad, right? But it starts silly, with (view spoiler) and progresses to (view spoiler). Mostly it's just (view spoiler) The stuff that happened to Rhys during his string of bad luck was all more dangerous and worrying than what happened under the influence of the corrupted ley line

The stuff that happens due to the corruption is either kind of funny or not all that serious. I was expecting more serious consequences. And what they ultimately had to do to reverse the corruption was super anti-climactic. Then Vivi and ~~the Dickbag~~ Rhys were stupid and just kind of wandered away from each other before getting back together.

So fun, but also a little bit disappointing. ...more

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Oct 30, 2022 Shan ~A~ rated it liked it

Shelves: 1st-in-series, ghosts, holiday, animals, siblings, romance, setting-us-georgia, family, audio, series-trilogies-i-started

Vivienne Jones & Rhys Penhallow

The story around trying to break the curse on both the ex (Rhys) and the town was pretty good. There were so many elements, and as soon as they thought things were fixed, the quickly realized that it was more going on than they originally thought.

However, the romantic aspect felt lukewarm. Maybe if Vivienne and Rhys relationship from the past (hence him being the ex) had held more substance for me it would have been better, but as it stands I didn't feel like ther ...more

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