Let me start this review by saying that this book made me realize that COZY fantasy ROMANCE with SMUT, is simply NOT MY THING. Is not my thing at all. 

When I think about this book I don’t think I really enjoyed it but I pushed myself to finish it because I had gotten so far and I kept waiting for it to be better, and it was just so easy and fast audiobook… but it was a 2 ⭐ for me. 

Maybe I should’ve run from this book since the prologue but I was curious, I wanted to read about adults with magic but it almost felt like they were still just 19 years old with all the hormones, and that’s also because we know NOTHING about their personalities 9 years ago or even now, like this should be a detective book looking for this couple’s personality because it’s missing, it’s gone, it doesn’t exist at all. 

How did they even fall for each other I just don’t understand. They were together for 3 months when they were 19 and all they did was had sex and then a horrible break up, and for 9 years I think they idolize each other and are “in love” with the image they have in their minds of each other because now all they do is have sex and they don’t have even ONE meaningful conversation in the whole book, that’s what bothers me the most maybe, because okay I can take the smut, but where’s the connection, the conversations, the getting to know each other again as adults? Lost, just as their personalities. 

I don’t think this is an spoiler so I’m going to say it: when this ended and each was going their own way I was HAPPY because she said it herself, they don’t have anything in common and they were not leaving their cities for the other and it was too complicated, I think it was the best for them to just close that chapter in their lives. But then because this is a romance book and they have to end up with each other turns out they both think “you’re the one, the love of my life” and one moves to the other’s city and then the other who was so adamant to never leaving also offered to leave to their city and suddenly nothing was complicated, huh. 

I love fantasy, but I’m starting to realize that I don’t enjoy books where so little to nearly nothing happens with that fantasy/magic, that aspect was a joke in this book and it was more for the “romance” (which I’m not a fan of the genre or the couple here). The only “action” in this book was the two characters acting like bunnies because they were horny 24/7. 

I wish there was more moments with the magic: She learned about her mother being good with magic, but she never embraced being a witch. He is also a witch part of one of the most famous families in town, but didn’t use his powers once. His father was always mentioned as so scary and powerful, but then he got to town for 5 minutes and was just an old man who was put in his place by an small delicate woman. The whole curse on the town was such a powerful magic, but it was solved with the power of love. Sighs. 

You could’ve taken away the fact that they’re witches and just say “oh when she was 19 her cousin found an old spell book and because she was heartbroken they cursed him” and I think that would’ve been way funnier if they as just humans had to fins a solution throughout the town and make it like a quest / journey while they talk and meet their adult version of themselves, because is not like these “witches” use their powers at all or are proud of being a witch anyways (at least in her case) 

Anyways, I think that's all for this review. I know there's a second book about the cousin who I found funny in the beginning and I was interested on her story because she is bisexual and I love the representation, but I could not care less about it now.

This was the ultimate read after "the secret history"! It was kinda cozy fantasy and easy to follow. This book was funny and really enjoyable.

I was slumping while reading so I did read a bit slow for me. But I had a hard time getting into this book and really connecting with the characters. It's second-chance romance, which I typically really enjoy but this one was just ok. I've heard the second book is a lot better?

I didn't really understand the world building, or like why there was a college with witches and the MC is a witch but she like doesn't really know what she's doing. I know that getting stronger powers is kinda part of the storyline, but it felt a bit flimsy to me.

Also WHY did the narrator NOT USE AN ACCENT. It's one thing to have one narrator for dual POV (ugh), but HE'S WELSH! AT LEAST DO AN ACCENT! MISSED OPPORTUNITY!!!!

3/5 🌶️

 Witchy, cozy, slightly steamy, exactly what I expect from paranormal romance book. The Ex Hex is about Vivienne Jones, or Vivi, and her-ex, Rhys Penhallow and the curse (or hex) that going awry. The curse itself stems from Vivi's heartbreak when she was 19 and Rhys left her. At first, it's just for shit and giggles but suddenly become a big catastrophe (or near world ending, whichever you prefer) when the curse become real. The cat start talking, the ghost suddenly appearing, the spell going awry and Vivi found that Graves Glen history might be not what it seems to be.

The Ex-Hex have some of my favorite catnip, the one that got away and second chance. The main characters are pretty much charming, with Vivi try to deny her attraction to Rhys (not gonna work, we all know it) and Rhys that still can't get over Vivi even after 9 years. I did enjoy their banter, although the star of this book happen to be the side characters, Vivi's cousin Gwynnevere. Gwynn's dialogue always crack me up and I liked that she always supportive to Vivi together with her mother, Elaine. Sisterhood or witch coven for the win! The Penhallows brothers seems interesting too, with the oldest Wells is grumpy all the time and the middle brother, Bowen is eccentric as hell. Rhys seems like the charming ones here. 

The story is pretty much light and entertaining, perfect for a light and one-sitting read. The romance is pretty well written and I liked that it's low of angst. Both Vivi and Rhys were adult although sometimes they act too horny, but hey, that what 9 years separation did to you. But, I liked with what Sterling write for them, no drama, no big misunderstanding that need groveling scene (that somehow the way its written is mostly meh and not enough), the love declaration is pretty on point and the conclusion for how Vivi and Rhys manage their relationship despite their big difference (Vivi is already rooted in Graves Glen, Rhys is as free as they come) was satisfying. The sex scenes were steamy and sometimes have its humorous moment as well without too much cringe (at least, for my taste.)

I recommend The Ex-Hex if you want to read a witchy but cozy paranormal romance book and the Halloween setting is pretty much fit. The next book is about Gwynn with one of Penhallow brother, Llewellyn or Wells. In this book Gwynn's ex is a woman so, maybe she's a bi? Anyway, Gwynn is my favorite characters with her witty and sarcastic remarks and pretty much sunshine, while Wells's personality is rivaling the Grinch itself, so...yeah, The Kissing Curse is pretty much grumpy x sunshine, lel. 

Blah!!

A fun audiobook re-read!