THE EX HEX is a standalone paranormal romance by Erin Sterling. In the prologue we learn how young witches Vivienne “Vivi” Jones, and the devilishly handsome and usually charming Rhys Penhallow met and fell in love. We also see how their three month-long summer of love interlude crashed and burned. In a fit of broken heart devastation, Vivi and her cousin Gwyn cursed Rhys. For nine long years it seemed as though no consequences came of that curse – until now. In that respect, there is almost a fairy tale quality to this story.
The backdrop to this tale is the part human, part witchy charming little town with Halloween fast approaching. It would be an idyllic scene, if not for Rhys coming back for the Halloween celebration and the curse making local magic go haywire, and possibly deadly for Rhys personally. In addition to the paranormal shenanigans, this is a “second chance” love story. Because Erin Sterling alternates perspectives in THE HEX EX, the reader sees how Vivi was special to Rhys, even though he left her years ago. He has suffered from many regrets about how things were handled, and he has hurt feelings about Vivi’s reaction to what he told her that made her explode on him. From Vivi’s perspective, Rhys never felt that deeply for her, kept something super important from her, and trifled with her affections. From Rhys’ perspective, what he told her was meant for them to discuss and work things out, and never meant to necessarily end things between them for good. Both perspectives have some validity under the strong emotional reactions. The sexual tension is superb in THE EX HEX. You really get a sense of how special the connection is between these two people. Both main characters are realistically flawed but I liked them both. What starts out as an annoying but somewhat entertaining curse, takes on a more sinister and serious quality when the stakes are raised for the town’s future and Rhys. When a troublesome ghost makes an appearance, I was worried the plot would get too complicated, but it helped tie everything together.
THE EX HEX gives a couple a second chance as they work together to sort out some magical mischief and fall in love all over again. As severe as Rhys’ father is, I found his harsh ways amusing. Although I don’t think this book will end up being a part of a series, I wouldn’t mind seeing Rhys’ brothers in future stories. I look forward to reading Erin Sterling’s next novel.
New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.
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.
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