The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling

Book Review Aug 22, 2022

My review

3/5 stars

This was a really easy read for me; I started and finished it in the same night.

It was one of those books that I grabbed off the shelf just because the cover looked fun and I knew I needed some light reads on my TBR pile, so my expectations weren't high, and I wasn't surprised either way once I had finished the book. It was an average read.

I struggled to fully connect with any of the characters in the book. Vivienne was an alright lead, but there was nothing that stood out about her or made me want to get invested in her life. Same with Rhys, there was nothing wrong with him but I didn't feel any pull towards him.

The story was pleasant enough to read through, and I was pleased that everything worked out the way that it did in the end, but it wasn't anything gripping. The writing slightly hampered my enjoyment of what was going on, as the book felt overstuffed with witchy cliches rather than carving out its own sophisticated niche.

I found the glimpses that we got of the wider Penhallow family really interesting, and definitely more engaging than the main characters. I would have loved to see more of them in the story to give a depth and roundedness to the world that was lacking otherwise.

Passable, but nothing special.

Book blurb

'You broke my heart, Rhys Penhallow. And we curse you. You and your whole stupid, hot line.'

Vivienne Jones handled the biggest break-up of her life the way that any witch would: vodka, bubble baths, and a curse on her ex.

That was nine years ago. Now Rhys Penhallow, descendant of the town's founders, breaker of hearts and still irritatingly gorgeous, is back. Rhys has returned to the quaint town of Graves Glen to recharge the ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival. But when his every move results in calamity, Vivi realises that hexing her ex might not have been so harmless after all . . .

As the curse starts to affect the magic of the town, resulting in murderous wind-up toys, an outraged ghost, and a surprisingly talkative cat, Vivi and Rhys must put their personal feelings aside and work together to break the curse and save not just the town, but also Rhys's life.