Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Ex Hex

I can see why this book would appeal to some, but I don't think I am the right audience for it. If I was rating this book purely on the plot, I'd have given it a higher score. The story about a witchy little town that is accidentally cursed and how the witches come together to try and save it is just wonderfully cozy spooky season reading. It reminded me of a spicier little Hallmark movie. Unfortunately, the romance overwhelms the plot and I was not all that interested in that part of the story. I also wish there had been a bit more attention paid to world-building and character development (and maybe there will be in future books). I wanted to know more about the magic and get deeper into the history of both the Penhallow and Jones families - especially when the origins of the curse were revealed - but mostly we just kept circling back to Vivi and Rhys pawing at each other. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a romance and I can certainly savor those spicy scenes, but I'm much better with a slow burn than something like this, and sex over story isn't really my jam. This was more lust than anything and, honestly, I think I would have been fine with that if I didn't feel like the author was trying to convince me that this was a real-deal romance at every opportunity. The connection, reader! The connection! The moment Rhys tries to convince Vivi they should get a room at a B&B instead of, you know, saving the town, well, that was the point of no return for me. The characters dated for 3 months almost a decade ago and in the span of a couple of weeks back in each other's presence we are supposed to believe they're madly in love as evidenced by the fact that they can't keep their hands off each other long enough to focus on the mission at hand. I just didn't buy into it. I also didn't find Rhys as charming as I think I was supposed to so I'm sure that didn't help.

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vj_thompson's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A majority of the book I did like. The premise of curing an ex-boyfriend was funny. Vivi and Rhy figuring out how to life the curse was also a good time. Everything kind of wrapped up quicker than it should have. It’s like in ten pages, they suddenly figured out how to lift the curse and boom, that’s it. Cue the credits.

The book should have been a little longer with more detail. I will not be continuing the series, unfortunately.

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jneverland's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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diana_raquel's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“Never mix vodka and witchcraft”

I found this book in a local bookstore, and it seemed like something that I would like. I have seen it around on social media, and seem like a lighthearted romance involving witches. Do I like romance? Yes. Do I like witches? Absolutely!

Look, this isn't a bad book, in any way. But there is something about second-chances books that I can't seem to like. I think that the only book of this kind that I absolutely love is Persuasion, by Austen. The characters are interesting and funny at times, the book has a good structure, and the story is interesting enough, but, to me, it was just "meh". However, I think that this is more of me problem than a book problem. Therefore, I'm giving it a 3.5 stars rating (but I'm being a bit generous). I can also say that this has fall vibes all over, so if you like romances with fall vibes, maybe give this one a chance.

Now, the question is: will I read The Kiss Curse? Yes, probably. It seems like an enemies-to-lovers romance and that's my favorite kind of romance.

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