Seeing this being sold as Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls makes me wonder why it took me so long to read it when those are two of my favourite things ever! Also knowing that Erin Sterling is the pseudonym for Rachel Hawkins, who I feel is one of the original YA paranormal authors, made me even more excited to read this. This was so much fun - everything from the small-town setting to the close-knit female family bonds between Vivi and her cousin and aunt, to the great chemistry between her and Rhys, the brooding Welsh witch who comes back to town after nine years. I really enjoyed the writing and the pacing of the story, with the overarching curse allowing for secondary characters to be introduced, and I cannot wait to read the sequel and see what happens next!

I did enjoy this book it was a very light and fluffy read perfect for the autumn. I feel that the storyline was very secondary to the romance and felt at times the plot got lost. The end wrapped up very quickly and without much detail. It was very much a romance with a witchy plot line rather then a witchy book with a romance plot line. I really liked the couple and their chemistry though and I did really enjoy the book as a quick fun read. It didn't take much thought and was easy to pick up and put down
I'm not sure I would continue reading this as a series but if I saw the 2nd book in a charity shop I would pick it up and I would give other books by this author a go

I love, this , it was a brilliant read and a lovely light-hearted romance full of magic, small town charm, family , community and love. What’s not to love about this fantastic book

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was fine, a cute romance story with a speculative edge to it. But I didn’t care about the main characters; I actually didn’t think they had much chemistry. The rest of it was cute, but couldn’t get over the characters.

I hate to say this, but I was so incredibly disappointed by this book.

The synopsis was practically a checklist of things I love but unfortunately it didn't deliver.

For starters, the quality of the ARC itself was horrendous - we're talking mistypes every other word. I actually waited for it to be released so I could purchase a copy to review.

I just felt that too much was attempted and none of it was executed particularly well. The witchy lore had so much potential but felt very surface level. The same is true of the romance.

Having said that, the reading experience itself was fine. I had a good enough time, but I know I won't remember this book for long.

Sadly I really didn’t like this one, and I wanted to love it!

I just felt that the setting was the only thing I really enjoyed. There wasn’t much of a plot, the chemistry between Vivi and Rhys was lacking, and the constant British-isms were really cringey.

2 stars for the fantastic Gilmore Girls vibes but that’s it I’m afraid.

A fun, light hearted ‘witchy’ read perfect for around Halloween time. If you picture a more spicer, steamy version of Sabrina the teenage witch, you’ll not go far wrong.
Was it mind blowing no, did I enjoy it for what it was, absolutely!

The Ex-Hex by Erin Sterling

Vivi drunkenly cursed Rhys when she was nineteen and he broke her heart. This is why you don't mix vodka and magic! Nine years later he's back and the curse kicks in.

With books about witches I'm always searching for another Practical Magic. This one was more romance than magic, which was fine but it's not what I was looking for. It was a predictable read.

I did enjoy the community of the town, I could visualise it well with the university, autumn vibes and witchcraft shop. There were a few aspects that I liked, witches living amongst humans, good female characters.

This one was a cute read. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was romatic and funny, and sweet.
3.5 stars for me

I enjoyed this way more than I thought. And I liked that. I didn't have high expectations because many books have let me down in the past because of the hype... It seems like I'm learning, lol.

I was very reluctant with this book, as I said because of the hype. Buuuuut, clearly I made a good decision I've made this far. If I had read it before, when the hype was at its peak, I would've rated it with 5 stars or so. 4 starts is good for me tho.

The vibes in this book are pretty good; that's something that I really loved. Like Sabrina ft Hocus Pocus ft Halloweentown, but they fuck, lmao. The cherry on top for me was Mr. Purrcival speaking. I fucking love cats. Even more black cats. I'm the owner of two black cats, so, the love is strong, lmao.

The characters were good. They weren't as flat as I thought they'd be. Don't get me wrong, I loved them, but as I said, I dind't have high hopes, lol. But, anyways, some characters were lovable and I also wanted to kick some of them (Simon, Amanda and fucking Gryffud, I'm talking with y'all). They didn't have the greaaaaat development, but it was okay to spend the time. (I just had a tiny hard time with the names, very acotar vibes, so yikes, but the rest was okay) aLSO, AUNT ELAIN IS MY FUCKING QUEEN WITH STEVIE NICKS LOOK AND VIBESSSS.

But, I wished I had known more of Rhys' bethrodal or whatever it was. Why his father wanted to force him to that? Why Simon (Rhys' father) never mentioned it again? Who was that girl who Rhys was supposed to marry with? I kinda wanted to know that, but well.

The romance was also okay. For moments it looked like insta love, but then I remembered that they dated like for 3 months. And then they spent 9 years separated. The less I think of the insta love of 2 days, the better for my sanity, believe me.

The smut was good? Magic sex, that's a better term for it. It was also cool, intimate and sweet. Vivi, if I met someone like Rhys, I wouldn't let him go off bed, too.

It was funny. I was actually laughing at Rhys' stupidity and his weird comments that he made when things were bad, lmao.

Vivi, I'm jealous and happy for you. You're the most badass witch and have this sarcastic and charming asshole. Girl, I envy you because this is the thing I will never have.

Sooooo, overall. It was a funny and cozy read. I actually felt the witchy Sabrina-Halloweentown-Hocus-Pocus vibes and I really really liked it, even more than I thought.

Definitely a comfort reading! Ignore the "my embarrasing" in the my guilty pleasures; that embarrasing is for Crave, lmao.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc!

Rom-coms? Check
Second chance romance? Check
Revenge? Check
MAGIC? CHECK!

This was so fun!!

Distinctly underwhelming

I was really hoping for a fun second chance romcom full of banter and witchy shenanigans but The Ex Hex unfortunately really fell flat for me.

I sensed zero chemistry between our two main leads who were pretty boring and cliche on their own as well. Also, the British mannerisms and use of slang Rhy displayed was seriously cringe in some instances.

The college small town vibe was enjoyable but nothing about the story stood out to me, so much so in fact that I almost abandoned the book right before the big finale in the end. That's how much I didn't care.

All in all, would not recommend. It wasn't atrocious or rage inducingly bad, simply bland af. I'm pretty sad about it too, it promised to be the perfect fluffy autumn read I wanted. Ehh, better luck next time.

I read this around the Halloween season when all I wanted was witchy goodness and small town vibes. It delivered on what I was craving to an extent, the only thing that could have made it better was a more intricate magic system and spells in general.

The relationship was a second chance romance though I felt at times more was needed for their relationship to work.
I adored Rhys even though he could be full of himself at times and I'd kill for a prequel book about his dad/ancestors.

Vivi and her family gave me all the warm feels, they had me laughing the whole time.

Overall a lighthearted book and I'd definitely read more from this author!

4 Stars

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This sounded like it would be right up my street, but while there are certainly enjoyable hijinks and humour in the plot, this just didn't do it for me, for two huge reasons: Vivi and Rhys.

From the first page, I just didn't connect with Vivi - she came across as childish, whiny and irresponsible. Once Rhys arrived you could tell why it was a romcom, because they were a perfect match.

In contrast, I could have spent much more time with basically any of the other characters, all of whom seemed to have the charm Vivi and Rhys lacked.

While I appreciate getting an ARC to review, this isn't unfortunately a title I'll be recommending.

5 stars!

Look, I absolutely adored this!

It was cute and funny and sexy and magical and enthralling.

I loved the magic, the romance, the tension, the banter, literally everything was great.

Highly highly recommend if you want to fall in love with a new romance couple.

I genuinely do not know why I put off reading this for so long. This is exactly what I needed after all of my heavier fantasy books. A little light-hearted relief with cute characters and a steady plot.
I enjoyed every piece of this, from the curse gone awry, the summer fling coming back to 'haunt' you and the accidental magic. Even the steamy scenes were all down in good humour. Adorable and bewitching. (pun intended)

This was a brilliant light-hearted romance and perfect for autumn.

Magic, spells, small town, family bonds, revenge, and love.

Brilliant read!

This was such a fun read. I loved all the characters! It was nice to see a Welsh main character in a book (you rarely see that!).

The relationship between Vivi and Rhys was delightful to read about. I loved second chance romances and I think this one was done very well. You knew they were going to get back together but every step in their relationship was still fantastic and interesting to read about.

Oh this was fantastic! Perfectly witchy, extremely witty, and with such a compelling couple right in the middle! I love a good revenge story, and this was the perfect kind!
Sterling has also created this little world of Graves Glen, an absolutely adorable town I'd book a week away at in a heartbeat! The characters of the town are all alive and vibrant, and I can only hope Erin Sterling with revisit them in future books!
I would never have suspected this was her first foray in Romance Novels, she is obviously such a genuine fan of the genre, and I cannot wait to see what she gets up to next!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this one. The banter and relationship between Vivi and Rhys but also Vivi and Gwynn was fantastic. I loved the premise of the story as well. Very easy read, perfect amount of smut as well. Perfect witchy read for Autumn!!

Would definitely read more from Erin Sterling in future.