Title- The Ex Hex
Rating– 4.5/5
Genre- Rom com, fantasy (witches)
POV- third person, past tense, alternating two characters
Trope- second chance, small town, hottie with an accent
My emotions- comfortable, cozy, sweet, calm
Characters–
Sir Purrcival was my favorite by far. OMG, brilliant.
Vivi- main character, didn’t know she was a witch until older. Professor at university.
Gwyn – best friend. Helps run a witch boutique
Aunt Elaine – mentor
Rhys- hottie witch from Wales who is cursed from screwing over Vivi in the past & now he has a second chance. He’s a bit of a spontaneous wandered in life without roots.
(kind of hard to read a character with this name after ACOMAF)
Comments-
This is a feel-good read with excellent setting descriptions. The location of the back of the shop, the strange location Rhys lived in, the haunted house, even her mundane office all came alive in a way where I felt like I was there. Rhys is such a sweetheart and I loved this couple together. I wish Vivi had a little bit more depth to dig into, but overall this was a very pleasant read. I also think there was a lost opportunity of using Rhys’ dad in a bigger climatic moment of drama.
Plot/Blurb-
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.
Best part- The witchy vibe in general. This small town feel with a charming Halloween theme has an edge of spook that’s just right. Also, I love when books have library scenes in general or when atypical locations are used for the naughty scenes.
What I’d change-
Increased emotion in the climax scene
Pacing- Fast. I read within 24 hours
Cassie Swindon 