A review by ellementary
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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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