November 2024 First in a Series BOTM - The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

[Jamie]

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

**This BOTM thread will be open until December 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Kim]

started this audio today - I read this back in 2020 and I can't remember if it was the audio or digital, but I do remember liking Vivianne. I'm excited to read again before diving back into the series.

[Kim]

Ch.1-18 (view spoiler)[ I definitely did audio last time cuz I remember wishing Rhys had a stronger welsh accent. Still I do really enjoy this story. It’s such a fun balance of rom com and witchiness. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Ch.19-24 (view spoiler)[ i forgot about all these twists and turns, like the ghost! the 2 POV is really fun and the spice level is right on point. I can't believe she has to re-capture the ghost in a candle, so strange. i want to know what thing Rhys's hair does! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Finished (view spoiler)[ love the girl power that solved the curse. the characters were so cute. loved the spice and halloween-ness. i'm excited to get into the next book in the series. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 21%, or mid-Ch 7: This is cute so far. (view spoiler)[I think the reason for their initial split a little ridiculous. Like she would be that angered that his Dad was arranging a marriage? I mean, it wasn't his fault and he was going home to stop it. Sort of silly, but now that he's back in town I am interested to see if that curse will take hold 😝 (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

I just got my library audio, so I'm hoping to start soon!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 30%, or Ch 10: 😁 Well they didn't expect that at (view spoiler)[the lay-lines and now she has to come clean about the silly curse. Are they going to try to break it together? (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Just start started my library audio. Makes me want to get a physical copy. It's cute so far but I'm only just starting chp 3

[Felicia]

On chapter 6 and it's so good so far. I am curious how the hex has taken effect and shown itself. I would really love to see Gwen's tarot cards irl because they sound beautiful.

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Felicia wrote: "Just start started my library audio. Makes me want to get a physical copy. It's cute so far but I'm only just starting chp 3"
I am listening to the audio too!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To 48%, or mid-Ch 15:(view spoiler)[A banshee in the Library!? This guy is getting it from all sides! 😝🤣 Is his brother coming to the U.S. though, because he sounds pretty hot 🔥 >/spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Finished! This was cute! It was a nice change of pace for me, because I have been reading nothing but Dark Fiction ((my fave)) lately, but I didn't find it particularly compelling.

I do plan to continue with the series though. I like the idea of this sweet little town and all the witchy vibes that Sterling included.

I'm glad (view spoiler)[ that Vivi and Rhys made in work in the end. I'm hoping for the second book, they are both in it, but that we're following a different couple. I haven't read the synopsis yet, but I think that is more than likely going to be the case. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Our series BR starts soon, you should join!

[Felicia]

I've only gotten a chance to listen to it a little bit more but I feel like there is a lot of awkward tension that I think makes me anxious from listening to it because it's like you're peeking into the lives a little more when someone is speaking instead of reading with your own voice. Maybe that's just me lol.

[Hayley]

(view spoiler)[I guess it's just me, i didn't care too much for this one, found it kind of a hot mess and blah all at the same time. I think i went into it with too high of expectations or maybe it's because i was still in book grief after finishing a really good book. (hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Still slowly making my way through but I do like that (view spoiler)[ he called his dad because he thought he was cursed and his dad was like Nah we can't get cursed. It makes me wonder if she is that powerful, if even that's not his real dad, if there is something going on with the two of them that make it so she is the only one that can curse him or what (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[
I'm enjoying the tone of this book. Its so cheeky and amusing.
The reason she broke up with him was stupid to be honest. I get being a little upset but seemed to be an over blown reaction to me.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[
So while the audio isn't bad there's something about this narrator thats sort of annoying me. I think its how breathless Vivienne is. And theres no welsh accent from Rhys. Its soooo disappointing I keep expecting to hear it and nothing. Makes me sad.
The story is OK. I actually care less about the romance between these two and more about the mystery almost surrounding the ghost etc and whats wrong with the ghost. Curious about how that is going to play out.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-9 (view spoiler)[ Not really too sure how I like this one. The curse just seems a little silly to me, but hopefully this gets better. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 10-16 (view spoiler)[So now she has this ghost problem to deal with. And it’s definitely her fault that he is having this problem. Still not sure how I feel about this book. At least it’s an easy read. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 17-24 (view spoiler)[Nothing is working out for these two with this curse. I can’t believe it was a con artist instead of an actual witch. (hide spoiler)]

[Hayley]

Ashlyn wrote: "Chapters 10-16 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[right, like it set up all these expectations in the beginning and then trounced all over them, and not in a good adding to the plot kind of way. (hide spoiler)]

[Hayley]

megs_bookrack wrote: "To 21%, or mid-Ch 7: This is cute so far. [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ juvenile to say the least on why they split. I mean they are young but it seems a lot of drama for something so dumb (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[Well that ended up being cute. I’m glad they were able to break the curse finally and that they both decided that they were worth each other no matter where they lived. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished (view spoiler)[
I liked the side bit of this where they're uncovering a long kept secret and breaking the curse. The rest of this plot i.e. the romance was just OK. I'm not mad at it but this does feel over hyped on booktok.
(hide spoiler)]

[Felicia]

Megan wrote: "Finished
I liked the side bit of this

I finished it last night. I feel like that didn't get detailed out enough. That was the biggest let down for me. I liked it well enough but it really fell off.

[Jamie]

Chapters 1-10 => (view spoiler)[This is just ok so far. Definitely an easy read. Nothing earth-shattering. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 11-24 => (view spoiler)[I'm finding this to be a little predictable. Now they find a ghost in the library? lol I'm not sure exactly what I'm thinking right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 25-end => (view spoiler)[While this was cute, I really didn't like the ending. I felt like it was wrapped up to quick. I'm not sure why we didn't get an epilogue to see where they are in the future. (hide spoiler)]