The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 

This was the perfect standalone for me to listen to before continuing with some of the series I have been working on, and it was wickedly cute! 

A mixture between Halloweentown and Stars Hallow, The Ex Hex takes place in Graves Glen, a town founded by the Penhallow family, that is known for its mixture of regular muggles and the witches who live there. 

Vivienne Jones moved to Graves Glen to live with her Aunt Elaine and cousin, Gwen, after her parents died, and at a young 19 she falls head over heels for none other than Rhys Penhallow. Yes, that Penhallow, whose ancestors founded the town whom the local college is named after. 

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft.”

Vivi falls hard for Rhys during the fast and furious summer fling, but when she finds out he’s technically betrothed, she breaks it off.

And she does the one thing her Aunt Elaine always said not to do, mixes vodka and witchcraft. In a heartbroken haze, Vivi and Gwen curse Rhys and his hair (amongst other things), not knowing just how powerful the Jones magic runs deep in Graves Glen. Nine years later, we find out just how bad the consequences for hexing your ex can be! 

Check out my new sticker to go with this fun read, along with my other bookish stickers!

Tropes

Second Chance 

Small Town 

“Enemies” to lovers 

Characters 

Vivi: Vivi was such a fun character to see “come out of her witchy shell”. Vivi found out she was a witch later in life, and she never really embraced her heritage or abilities. She avoided using magic where other witches would consider it a daily no-brainer, even going as far as teaching “regular” students at the college for her job rather than working in the witch-based department/studies. I loved Vivi’s obvious heart on her sleeve and her courage! You can tell she would do anything for her family. She’s just a wholesome, fun character. It would be cool to get to see her powers develop even further! 

Rhys: I’ve got another Rhys for you to add to your book boyfriend list, but he doesn’t have wings! His name is Rhys Penhallow and he’s a Welsh Witch! Rhys’s wit and charm are seriously addicting, but it’s also so obvious how he melts for Vivi. While his dad seems pretty rotten, behind all the sarcasm for cover, Rhys is genuinely good and would do anything for Vivi. 

Gwen and Aunt Elaine: We don’t get too much back story on Gwen and Aunt Elaine, but they are both pivotal parts of the story (and obviously matter alot to Vivi!). The second book in the series is about Gwen, so I’m excited to read her perspective/story! Gwen’s humor and personality really bring out the fun in Viv’s more serious nature. 

Quotes

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft”

“There’s no really good timing for this kind of thing, is there? Finding your person? It just kind of happens when it happens. Or so they say.”

“The Full Potter,” he repeated. “Not finding out you’re a witch until you’re older, not growing up with it. ‘Yer a witch, Vivi,’ the sort of thing.”

“She’d smiled at him, and it had been …

Instant. Irrevocable.

A fucking disaster.”

Good Reads Synopsis

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.