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yourlocalbookreader's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
“Gwyn had no doubt that whoever he was, his ancestors had absolutely once stared down the business end of a guillotine. You didn’t get cheekbones like that without oppressing some peasants.”
The Kiss Curse is the low stakes magical romance following Gwyn, the cousin of the MC from The Ex Hex and Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow, the brother of Rhys! They're really keeping it in the family for this one, which I tried my absolute best to overlook.
Gwyn runs a magical shop selling to tourists in a town that's obsessed with all things witchy - but she's a real witch! When Rhys decides to stop selling out to his father, Well's is sent to town to reform the Penhallow name in the area. But opening his own store across the street from Gwyn put them in direct competition and permanently on her bad side.
We know the enemies must become lovers so of course these two end up hate kissing! Thinking that they can keep it hidden, they also have to investigate the town when new witches show up and Gwyn's magic starts fading away.
Look, this book had a decent premise and it was certainly a low stakes easy read but at the cost of any character development. These two go from despising each other to basically HAVING to kiss and then falling in love? Well's also (MULTIPLE times) fails to communicate with Gwyn on major issues and she overlooks them time after time. If this was real life, I'd give them 2 years max on the marriage.
Besides the romance, the entire plot is solved in the span of LESS THAN A PAGE. How are you going to build up this entire thing just to solve it with "she believed and therefore she could". I understand it's a cozy fantasy but... still.
rep// Bi MC
The Kiss Curse is the low stakes magical romance following Gwyn, the cousin of the MC from The Ex Hex and Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow, the brother of Rhys! They're really keeping it in the family for this one, which I tried my absolute best to overlook.
Gwyn runs a magical shop selling to tourists in a town that's obsessed with all things witchy - but she's a real witch! When Rhys decides to stop selling out to his father, Well's is sent to town to reform the Penhallow name in the area. But opening his own store across the street from Gwyn put them in direct competition and permanently on her bad side.
We know the enemies must become lovers so of course these two end up hate kissing! Thinking that they can keep it hidden, they also have to investigate the town when new witches show up and Gwyn's magic starts fading away.
Look, this book had a decent premise and it was certainly a low stakes easy read but at the cost of any character development. These two go from despising each other to basically HAVING to kiss and then falling in love? Well's also (MULTIPLE times) fails to communicate with Gwyn on major issues and she overlooks them time after time. If this was real life, I'd give them 2 years max on the marriage.
Besides the romance, the entire plot is solved in the span of LESS THAN A PAGE. How are you going to build up this entire thing just to solve it with "she believed and therefore she could". I understand it's a cozy fantasy but... still.
rep// Bi MC
spatterson12's review against another edition
4.0
This was what I needed to help my little reading slump. It was simple, sweet, and fun. I didn’t love the use of “first annual” instead of “inaugural” at one point, and I would’ve loved more backstory or development for an old college friend who resurfaces. The baby witches were perfect, and so was Sir Purrcival.
Wells is ready to try something new and leave his pub behind to open a store in the small Georgia town his family founded and his brother currently lives with his wife. Of course, he opens his store right across the street from a similar store owned by Gwyn — the eclectic cousin from the first book in the series, The Ex Hex. And the enemies to lovers trope begins.
Wells is ready to try something new and leave his pub behind to open a store in the small Georgia town his family founded and his brother currently lives with his wife. Of course, he opens his store right across the street from a similar store owned by Gwyn — the eclectic cousin from the first book in the series, The Ex Hex. And the enemies to lovers trope begins.
anabatel1's review against another edition
4.0
I felt slightly disappointed that the real story started in the middle of the book. I would have preferred more attention to the story with Morgan.
Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable story with quirky, well developed characters (I’m glad because the first book set the bar high!). The writing was similar to the first one and for that I’m also grateful!
I’m glad we got to know the Penhallow brothers, and that Sir Purrcival kept being awesome. The Baby Witches were interesting too.
The romantic plot was good!
Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable story with quirky, well developed characters (I’m glad because the first book set the bar high!). The writing was similar to the first one and for that I’m also grateful!
I’m glad we got to know the Penhallow brothers, and that Sir Purrcival kept being awesome. The Baby Witches were interesting too.
The romantic plot was good!
youactlikeicare's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
crlopez2013's review against another edition
4.0
Okay I officially am a fan of whatever romance witchy genre this is. Was amused by the ex hex, and utterly charmed by the kiss curse. Not a substantive read by any meals but delightful nonetheless. Sir Purrcival continues to be the star of the show. My main issue is that the drama parts of the book are always so rushed, I wish the scenes were more fleshed out. It’s so short it’s almost a “blink and you’ll miss it” situation. Overall a cute & quick, read with charm, humor, romance, more than palatable spicy scenes, and a bit of danger!
m_lee's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melonie96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
redwingschick95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
rose_88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Liked the romance more than the first one, liked how the two families interacted. Would have liked more about the couples, more follow up. Really liked how the obvious villain was Morgan, then it spun to the dad, then when you weren’t expecting it back to Morgan. Liked that it didn’t just abandon her and her coven. Now i REALLY want to know more about the Penhallows, about the history of the town, and everyone’s individual magic and stuff.